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Below Average

#1814 of 1,992 schools in MN

Step Academy Elementary

Elementary School · STEP Academy

835 5TH ST E, Saint Paul, MN 55106

Charter

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,814 of 1,992

In Saint Paul

#106 of 125

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

STEP Academy

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Step Academy Elementary

4.2/10

Elementary School in Saint Paul · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Step Academy Charter School

6.4/10

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

Daytons Bluff Elementary

3.2/10

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

About Step Academy Elementary

Step Academy Elementary is a public elementary school in Saint Paul, MN, part of STEP Academy. Step Academy Elementary serves approximately 229 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Step Academy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,814 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Step Academy Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.2
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Step Academy Elementary is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-2.21 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,145
Chronic Absenteeism14%

Step Academy Elementary — Students at Step Academy Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.0% (multi-year average, 2017-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0% (multi-year average, 2017-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 12 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22%
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: 3.6/10.

How Step Academy Elementary Compares

See how Step Academy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in MN
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.0%

Location

835 5TH ST E, Saint Paul, MN 55106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Step Academy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Txuj Ci HMong Language & Culture Lo (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOPE Community Academy Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Saint Paul, see our Saint Paul schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
STEP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.0 mi 6.4
DAYTONS BLUFF ELEMENTARY Saint Paul 0.4 mi 3.2
Early Education Daytons Bluff Saint Paul 0.4 mi
HOPE Community Academy Elementary Saint Paul 0.5 mi 6.6
HOPE Community Academy Middle Saint Paul 0.5 mi 3.9
HOPE Community Academy High School Saint Paul 0.5 mi 4.2
LEAP HIGH SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.6 mi 4.3
Saint Paul Online High School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 2.7
Saint Paul Online Middle School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 5.2
Saint Paul Online Elementary School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 4.5
AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.5 mi 4.8
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE UPPER Saint Paul 0.8 mi 5.2
Txuj Ci HMong Language & Culture Lo Saint Paul 1.0 mi 7.2
CITY ACADEMY Saint Paul 0.9 mi 7.1
LIFE Prep Saint Paul 1.1 mi 2.6
FACE TO FACE ACADEMY Saint Paul 1.1 mi 6.3
Face to Face Academy Online Saint Paul 1.1 mi
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE LOWER Saint Paul 1.4 mi 4.2
Community of Peace Academy Elem Saint Paul 1.3 mi 3.9
Community of Peace Academy High Sch Saint Paul 1.3 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,601

Median Home Value

$233,000

Median Rent

$1,230/mo

Population

56,969

College Educated

23.3%

Homeownership

60.3%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

32.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BLOOMINGTON LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bloomington, MN 4.2
CREST VIEW ELEMENTARY Brooklyn Park, MN 4.2
LAURA MACARTHUR ELEMENTARY Duluth, MN 4.2
MYERS-WILKINS ELEMENTARY Duluth, MN 4.2
Vaughan-Steffensrud Elementary Chisholm, MN 4.2
EASTERN HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Step Academy Elementary

What grades does Step Academy Elementary serve?

Step Academy Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Step Academy Elementary?

Step Academy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Step Academy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Step Academy Elementary is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Step Academy Elementary rank in MN?

Step Academy Elementary ranks #1,814 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Step Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Step Academy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Step Academy Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Step Academy Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).

Is Step Academy Elementary a charter school?

Yes, Step Academy Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Step Academy Elementary a Title I school?

No, Step Academy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Step Academy Elementary?

60.7% of students at Step Academy 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
79 Very Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Ramsey County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.0%

District

STEP Academy
District Enrollment
913
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,145
District Rank
#2 of 3

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