Very Good
#441 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 22% in state
Staples-motley Elementary
Elementary School · STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
1025 4TH ST NE, Staples, MN 56479
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Staples
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#354 of 962
In district
#1 of 3
STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Staples-motley Elementary
Staples-Motley Elementary, located in the remote rural area of Staples, Minnesota, is a regular public elementary school serving students from preschool through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 279 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes that allow for individualized attention. The dedicated staff includes 26 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support each child's learning journey.
The academic performance at Staples-Motley Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #889 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (placing it in the 56th percentile). In reading/ELA, 35% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 54% reach proficiency levels. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.
Set amidst a quiet rural setting, Staples-Motley Elementary offers a close-knit community environment where teachers, parents, and students work together to create an engaging learning experience for every child.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Staples-motley Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Staples-motley Elementary — Students at Staples-motley Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.5/10.
How Staples-motley Elementary Compares
See how Staples-motley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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 8.3/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PILLAGER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Pillager), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Browerville), which scores slightly 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 | 7.1 |
| MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Staples | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale | 10.1 mi | — |
| VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale | 10.8 mi | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale | 10.8 mi | 5.1 |
| LIVING WATERS MENNONITE SCHOOL Browerville | 17.0 mi | 4.0 |
| BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha | 14.5 mi | 8.3 |
| BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha | 14.5 mi | 6.1 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Browerville | 19.5 mi | 6.2 |
| BROWERVILLE SECONDARY Browerville | 19.6 mi | 6.4 |
| BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY Browerville | 19.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager | 14.8 mi | 4.5 |
| PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager | 15.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Pillager Senior High School Pillager | 15.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Pillager Middle School Pillager | 15.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena | 16.5 mi | 7.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Staples-motley Elementary has a median household income of $58,009. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| EASTERN HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN | 7.5 |
| Eastview Education Center Monticello, MN | 7.5 |
| HIGHWOOD HILLS ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN | 7.5 |
| KELLIHER ELEMENTARY Kelliher, MN | 7.5 |
| KIMBALL ELEMENTARY Kimball, MN | 7.5 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji, MN | 7.5 |
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 is ranked #441 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Staples-motley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Staples-motley Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Staples-motley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Staples-motley Elementary has 53.7% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Staples). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (218) 894-5400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 888
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,990
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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