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Average

#1480 of 1,992 schools in MN

Staples-motley Elementary

Elementary School · STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

1025 4TH ST NE, Staples, MN 56479

Enrollment

279

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,480 of 1,992

In Staples

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Staples-motley Elementary

5.3/10

Elementary School in Staples · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Staples-motley Senior High

7.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Motley-staples Middle School

5.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Staples-motley Elementary

Staples-motley Elementary is a public elementary school in Staples, MN, part of STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Staples-motley Elementary serves approximately 279 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Staples-motley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,480 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Staples-motley Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below MN schools
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Staples-motley Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,990
Chronic Absenteeism23.7%

Staples-motley Elementary — Students at Staples-motley Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
37%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How Staples-motley Elementary Compares

See how Staples-motley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in MN
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

Location

1025 4TH ST NE, Staples, MN 56479

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Staples-motley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BERTHA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores notably higher. Another option is PILLAGER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Pillager), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Staples, see our Staples schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH Staples 0.4 mi 7.8
MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Staples 0.4 mi 5.9
SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples 0.5 mi 7.1
VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale 10.1 mi
VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale 10.8 mi 4.6
VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale 10.8 mi 5.9
LIVING WATERS MENNONITE SCHOOL Browerville 17.0 mi 4.0
BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha 14.5 mi 9.0
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha 14.5 mi 7.4
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Browerville 19.5 mi 6.2
BROWERVILLE SECONDARY Browerville 19.6 mi 7.0
BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY Browerville 19.6 mi 6.4
Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager 14.8 mi 6.3
PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager 15.7 mi 8.4
Pillager Senior High School Pillager 15.7 mi 7.0
Pillager Middle School Pillager 15.7 mi 5.2
Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena 16.5 mi 6.5
White Pine Academy Wadena 16.5 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena 16.5 mi
LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena 16.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56479 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,009

Median Home Value

$177,500

Median Rent

$856/mo

Population

5,018

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

42.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Forest View Elementary Forest Lake, MN 5.3
HIGHWOOD HILLS ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN 5.3
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Winona, MN 5.3
LAKE OF THE WOODS ELEMENTARY Baudette, MN 5.3
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brainerd, MN 5.3
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Mankato, MN 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Staples-motley Elementary

What grades does Staples-motley Elementary serve?

Staples-motley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Staples-motley Elementary?

Staples-motley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 279 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Staples-motley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Staples-motley Elementary is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Staples-motley Elementary rank in MN?

Staples-motley Elementary ranks #1,480 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Staples-motley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Staples-motley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Staples-motley Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Staples-motley Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Staples-motley Elementary a charter school?

No, Staples-motley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Staples-motley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Staples-motley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Staples-motley Elementary?

56.6% of students at Staples-motley Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Todd County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

District

STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
888
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,990
District Rank
#3 of 3

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