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#1432 of 1,986 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

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saint Paul

#83 of 125

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#783 of 962

In district

#1 of 3

STEP Academy

About Step Academy Elementary

STEP Academy Elementary is a charter school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 229 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. STEP Academy focuses on providing a supportive educational foundation for its young learners.

While the academic performance metrics indicate room for improvement—with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.3 out of 10 and state ranking in the 8th percentile—STEP Academy continues to work diligently on student development. The school's proficiency rates in ELA/Reading are at 32% and 25% in Math, showing areas where growth is actively being sought. Located within a large city setting, STEP Academy Elementary benefits from the diverse community of Saint Paul, offering students opportunities beyond just academics as they grow and learn together.

What Parents Should Know

Step Academy Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,116

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 25.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
32%
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: 6.2/10.

How Step Academy Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in MN
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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. AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Txuj Ci HMong Language & Culture Lo (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Saint Paul Online Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably 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 4.8
DAYTONS BLUFF ELEMENTARY Saint Paul 0.4 mi 5.0
Early Education Daytons Bluff Saint Paul 0.4 mi
HOPE Community Academy Elementary Saint Paul 0.5 mi 3.7
HOPE Community Academy Middle Saint Paul 0.5 mi 3.8
HOPE Community Academy High School Saint Paul 0.5 mi 5.6
LEAP HIGH SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.6 mi 5.3
Saint Paul Online High School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 3.4
Saint Paul Online Middle School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 5.2
Saint Paul Online Elementary School Saint Paul 0.6 mi 6.6
AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL Saint Paul 0.5 mi 7.3
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE UPPER Saint Paul 0.8 mi 6.5
Txuj Ci HMong Language & Culture Lo Saint Paul 1.0 mi 7.0
CITY ACADEMY Saint Paul 0.9 mi 7.0
LIFE Prep Saint Paul 1.1 mi 4.7
FACE TO FACE ACADEMY Saint Paul 1.1 mi 8.4
Face to Face Academy Online Saint Paul 1.1 mi
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE LOWER Saint Paul 1.4 mi 5.4
Community of Peace Academy Elem Saint Paul 1.3 mi 2.6
Community of Peace Academy High Sch Saint Paul 1.3 mi 4.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Step Academy Elementary has a median household income of $68,601. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,000, with a median rent of $1,230/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Art and Science Academy Isanti, MN 5.4
PARK BROOK ELEMENTARY Brooklyn Park, MN 5.4
ST CROIX CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stillwater, MN 5.4
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo, MN 5.4
CHEROKEE HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN 5.5
FOUR SEASONS ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN 5.5

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 is ranked #1432 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Step Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Step Academy Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Step Academy Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Step Academy Elementary has 25.3% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Low (197/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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