Skip to main content

Average

#1612 of 1,986 schools in MN

Verndale Elementary

Elementary School · VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

411 SW BROWN ST, Verndale, MN 56481

Enrollment

262

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Verndale

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#836 of 962

In district

#1 of 2

VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Verndale Elementary

Verndale Elementary is a regular public school located in the heart of Verndale, Minnesota, offering education to students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 262 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, the school provides personalized attention in its rural setting. The teaching staff consists of 22 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting each child's educational journey.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Verndale Elementary has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1661 among 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it in the 18th percentile. In terms of academic performance, 47% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate that there is room for improvement but also highlight areas where the school's efforts have been effective.

Verndale Elementary’s location in a rural community offers a close-knit atmosphere where students benefit from small class sizes and strong connections with their teachers and peers. The setting provides a unique environment that complements the educational experience, fostering a supportive learning community for its young scholars.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Verndale 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 Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,547

Verndale Elementary — Students at Verndale Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
47%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
32%
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: 3.8/10.

How Verndale Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
19th percentile in MN
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

411 SW BROWN ST, Verndale, MN 56481

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Verndale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BERTHA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores notably higher. Another option is BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Browerville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Staples-Motley Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Staples), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Verndale, see our Verndale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.4 mi
School Distance Rating
VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale 0.0 mi 5.1
VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale 0.9 mi
Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena 5.7 mi 7.3
White Pine Academy Wadena 5.7 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena 5.7 mi
LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena 5.7 mi
Elm Tree Academy Wadena 5.7 mi
WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY Wadena 6.7 mi 5.0
BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha 9.2 mi 8.3
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha 9.2 mi 6.1
WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena 7.0 mi 5.0
WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE Wadena 7.0 mi 5.4
GREEN MEADOW Wadena 9.5 mi
STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH Staples 10.8 mi 7.1
MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Staples 10.8 mi 6.7
Staples-Motley Elementary Staples 10.8 mi 7.5
SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples 11.0 mi 7.1
SEBEKA ELEMENTARY Sebeka 16.7 mi 7.3
SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka 16.7 mi 5.7
BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY Browerville 22.4 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56481 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,688

Median Home Value

$165,600

Median Rent

$585/mo

Population

2,333

College Educated

16%

Homeownership

87.3%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

38.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Verndale Elementary has a median household income of $69,688. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,600, with a median rent of $585/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. 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
COMMUNITY OF SAINTS REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL West Saint Paul, MN 5.1
Harambee Elementary School Maplewood, MN 5.1
TAYLORS FALLS ELEMENTARY Chisago City, MN 5.1
WOODSON KINDERGARTEN CENTER Austin, MN 5.1
WORLD LEARNER CHARTER SCHOOL Chaska, MN 5.1
BETHUNE ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Verndale Elementary

What grades does Verndale Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Verndale Elementary?

Verndale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Verndale Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Verndale Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Verndale Elementary rank in MN?

Verndale Elementary is ranked #1612 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Verndale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Verndale Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Verndale Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Verndale Elementary has 38.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Verndale Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Verndale Elementary a Title I school?

No, Verndale Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

55.0% of students at Verndale 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

City Safety
Low (196/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Wadena County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
509
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,766
District Rank
#1 of 2

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

Related 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.