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
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView 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 6 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: 3.8/10.
How Verndale Elementary Compares
See how Verndale Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (218) 445-5184
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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