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
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Universal Academy Elementary — Students at Universal Academy Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Universal Academy Elementary Compares
See how Universal Academy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 26% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (651) 340-5994
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.