Below Average
#1737 of 1,992 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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,737 of 1,992
In Verndale
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Verndale Elementary
Elementary School in Verndale · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Verndale Secondary
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Verndale Area Christian Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Verndale Elementary
Verndale Elementary is a public elementary school in Verndale, MN, part of VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Verndale Elementary serves approximately 262 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Verndale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,737 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Verndale Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- MN avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Verndale Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Verndale Elementary — Students at Verndale Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.6/10.
How Verndale Elementary Compares
See how Verndale Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.0/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEBEKA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Sebeka), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 11.0 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 | 5.9 |
| VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale | 0.9 mi | — |
| Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena | 5.7 mi | 6.5 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha | 9.2 mi | 9.0 |
| BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha | 9.2 mi | 7.4 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena | 7.0 mi | 6.4 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE Wadena | 7.0 mi | 5.6 |
| GREEN MEADOW Wadena | 9.5 mi | — |
| STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH Staples | 10.8 mi | 7.8 |
| MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Staples | 10.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Staples-Motley Elementary Staples | 10.8 mi | 5.3 |
| SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples | 11.0 mi | 7.1 |
| SEBEKA ELEMENTARY Sebeka | 16.7 mi | 9.0 |
| SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka | 16.7 mi | 7.4 |
| BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY Browerville | 22.4 mi | 6.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Appleton-Milan Elementary Appleton, MN | 4.6 |
| EDWARD NEILL ELEMENTARY Burnsville, MN | 4.6 |
| HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY Saint Paul, MN | 4.6 |
| J.W. SMITH ELEMENTARY Bemidji, MN | 4.6 |
| PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY Rochester, MN | 4.6 |
| Riverview Spanish/English Dual Imme Saint Paul, MN | 4.6 |
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 ranks #1,737 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Verndale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Verndale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Verndale Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Verndale Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.5%
- Phone
- (218) 445-5184
Resources & Links
District
VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,766
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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