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Very Good

#604 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 30% in state

Tower-soudan Elementary

Elementary School · ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 469, Tower, MN 55790

Enrollment

89

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tower

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#430 of 962

In district

#4 of 9

ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Tower-soudan Elementary

Tower-Soudan Elementary serves 89 students in grades PK through 6 in the remote rural community of Tower, Minnesota. This small public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1 with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for individualized attention that contributes to strong academic outcomes. The school demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #254 out of 2,027 Minnesota elementary schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide.

Students achieve 54% proficiency rates in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math across all tested grades, reflecting consistent academic achievement in core subjects. Tower-Soudan Elementary draws families from ZIP code 55790, where the median household income reaches $77,969 and median home values are $290,800. The community shows educational commitment with 33% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 9.8% among its 1,871 residents.

Located in St. Louis County's pristine wilderness region, Tower-Soudan Elementary offers students the unique advantage of learning in Minnesota's remote northern landscape, where outdoor education opportunities and tight-knit community connections naturally complement traditional academics.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 89 students, Tower-soudan Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Tower-soudan Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Tower-soudan 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 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+25.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,445

Tower-soudan Elementary — Students at Tower-soudan Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
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
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Tower-soudan Elementary Compares

See how Tower-soudan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MN
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO BOX 469, Tower, MN 55790

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tower-soudan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MERRITT ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 24.9 miles away, in nearby Mountain Iron), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CHERRY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 34.5 miles away, in nearby Iron), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Star Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Eveleth), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tower, see our Tower schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 34.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Vermilion Country School Tower 0.5 mi 4.9
MESABI EAST ELEMENTARY Aurora 19.1 mi 6.0
MESABI EAST SECONDARY Aurora 19.1 mi 3.5
BABBITT ELEMENTARY Babbitt 16.4 mi 4.6
NORTHEAST RANGE SECONDARY Babbitt 16.4 mi 5.0
NLC Transition Program Virginia 22.9 mi
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Virginia 23.2 mi 6.0
Parkview Elementary Virginia 23.2 mi 6.2
NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 020 Virginia 24.1 mi 7.8
NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 Virginia 24.1 mi 7.3
Rock Ridge Secondary Virginia 25.3 mi 5.2
Laurentian Elementary Eveleth 25.6 mi 6.4
EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron 24.5 mi 7.3
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Ely 20.2 mi 6.4
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Ely 20.2 mi 6.7
Memorial Middle School Ely 20.2 mi 6.5
North Star Elementary Eveleth 26.5 mi 7.2
MERRITT ELEMENTARY Mountain Iron 24.9 mi 7.7
MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron 24.9 mi 4.8
CHERRY ELEMENTARY Iron 34.5 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55790 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,732

Median Home Value

$297,900

Median Rent

$630/mo

Population

1,933

College Educated

33.6%

Homeownership

88%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

61.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tower-soudan Elementary has a median household income of $74,732. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $297,900, with a median rent of $630/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
EMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hamburg, MN 7.1
Prodeo Academy St. Paul Elementary Saint Paul, MN 7.1
SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples, MN 7.1
ST MARY OF MT. CARMEL SCHOOL Long Prairie, MN 7.1
VIKING ELEMENTARY Viking, MN 7.1
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Crookston, MN 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tower-soudan Elementary

What grades does Tower-soudan Elementary serve?

Tower-soudan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Tower-soudan Elementary?

Tower-soudan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 89 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tower-soudan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Tower-soudan Elementary is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tower-soudan Elementary rank in MN?

Tower-soudan Elementary is ranked #604 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Tower-soudan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Tower-soudan Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Tower-soudan Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tower-soudan Elementary has 54.5% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tower-soudan Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Tower-soudan Elementary a Title I school?

No, Tower-soudan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tower-soudan Elementary?

70.8% of students at Tower-soudan 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
Average (251/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
89
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
St. Louis County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ST. LOUIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,947
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,872
District Rank
#4 of 9

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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