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Very Good

#498 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 25% in state

Universal Academy Elementary

Elementary School · Universal Academy Charter School

2912 28TH AVE., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Charter

Enrollment

423

Student-Teacher

20.1:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Minneapolis

#38 of 125

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#381 of 962

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Universal Academy Elementary

Universal Academy Elementary is a charter school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offering education from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 423 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child grow and develop academically and socially. The dedicated staff includes 21 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to foster a supportive learning environment.

While Universal Academy Elementary has room for academic growth, it focuses on student development and strives to provide quality education in a large city setting. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and state ranking of 1591 out of 2027 schools indicate areas where improvements can be made, especially in math proficiency, which stands at 22% above the proficient level. However, with a reading proficiency rate of 37%, there are clear signs that some students are meeting academic benchmarks.

Universal Academy Elementary is situated in an urban area within Minneapolis, offering its diverse student body access to various community resources and cultural opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Universal Academy Elementary is 20.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Universal 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 Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,498

Universal Academy Elementary — Students at Universal Academy Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
42%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Universal Academy Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in MN
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

2912 28TH AVE., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Universal Academy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Skyline Math and Science Academy (rated 7.4/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Anishinabe Academy Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Seward Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Minneapolis, see our Minneapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Universal Academy Middle/High Minneapolis 0.0 mi
Longfellow Alternative High Minneapolis 0.3 mi 8.5
MTS HIGH SCHOOL Minneapolis 0.3 mi 5.9
Skyline Math and Science Academy Minneapolis 0.4 mi 7.4
Minnesota Transitions Charter Elem Minneapolis 0.5 mi 4.1
SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 0.4 mi 6.3
Anishinabe Academy Elementary Minneapolis 0.4 mi 6.9
Bdote Learning Center Minneapolis 0.4 mi 5.3
OPEN ARMS EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE CENTER Minneapolis 0.6 mi 5.3
AURORA CHARTER SCHOOL Minneapolis 0.6 mi 5.9
AURORA MIDDLE SCHOOL Minneapolis 0.6 mi 3.2
Seward Elementary Minneapolis 0.7 mi 6.9
Lincoln International High School Minneapolis 0.6 mi 7.2
TRANSITION PLUS SERVICES Minneapolis 0.5 mi 7.1
Hiawatha College Prep - Kingfield Minneapolis 0.6 mi 4.6
Hiawatha Collegiate High School Minneapolis 0.6 mi 4.9
South High Minneapolis 0.6 mi 8.5
Friendship Academy of Arts-Primary Minneapolis 1.1 mi 6.1
Folwell Elementary Minneapolis 1.0 mi 5.7
Takoda Prep Minneapolis 1.1 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,865

Median Home Value

$335,500

Median Rent

$1,276/mo

Population

35,863

College Educated

56%

Homeownership

66.8%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Universal Academy Elementary has a median household income of $91,865. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,500, with a median rent of $1,276/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
AMERICAN INDIAN MAGNET SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN 7.3
BENJAMIN E MAYS MAGNET Saint Paul, MN 7.3
Byron Intermediate School Byron, MN 7.3
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Norwood Young America, MN 7.3
COHASSET ELEMENTARY Cohasset, MN 7.3
COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY Forest Lake, MN 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Universal Academy Elementary

What grades does Universal Academy Elementary serve?

Universal Academy Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Universal Academy Elementary?

Universal Academy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Universal Academy Elementary is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Universal Academy Elementary rank in MN?

Universal Academy Elementary is ranked #498 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Universal Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Universal Academy Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Universal Academy Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Universal Academy Elementary has 21.7% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Universal Academy Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Universal Academy Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

82.0% of students at Universal 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
85 Very Walkable
Transit Score
57 Good Transit
Bike Score
100 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (6,330/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Minneapolis). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hennepin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Universal Academy Charter School
District Enrollment
450
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,731
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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