Excellent
#180 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 9% in state
West Central Area N. El.
Elementary School · WEST CENTRAL AREA
411 1ST ST SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota elementary schools
#168 of 962
In district
#2 of 4
WEST CENTRAL AREA
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About West Central Area N. El.
West Central Area North Elementary serves 156 students from prekindergarten through fourth grade in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, earning exceptional recognition as the third-ranked elementary school in the state out of 2,027 schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2 to 1 and 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that clearly translates to outstanding academic results. Students demonstrate impressive proficiency rates, with 62% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading, and an exceptional 82% achieving proficiency in mathematics.
These strong outcomes contribute to the school's remarkable 8.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and 9.5 academic score, placing it in the 100th percentile statewide. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $68,056 and median home values average $160,000. About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 12%.
West Central Area North Elementary operates in Grant County's remote rural setting, serving families across the 56531 ZIP code area with a population of 1,915. This small-town environment provides an intimate educational experience where students can thrive academically while being part of a close-knit rural Minnesota community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 156 students, West Central Area N. El. is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, West Central Area N. El. offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, West Central Area N. El. 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
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West Central Area N. El. — Students at West Central Area N. El. score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.2%
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: 6.9/10.
How West Central Area N. El. Compares
See how West Central Area N. El. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
411 1ST ST SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Central Area N. El. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASHBY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Ashby), with a comparable rating. Another option is OUR LADY OF VICTORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Fergus Falls), a more accessible option. Additionally, UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY (rated 5.3/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Underwood), a more accessible option. For more schools in Elbow Lake, see our Elbow Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WEST CENTRAL AREA SECONDARY Barrett | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
| WCA Middle School Barrett | 6.7 mi | 6.3 |
| ASHBY ELEMENTARY Ashby | 10.0 mi | 7.1 |
| ASHBY SECONDARY Ashby | 10.0 mi | 6.5 |
| HERMAN ELEMENTARY Herman | 14.8 mi | 3.7 |
| HERMAN SECONDARY Herman | 14.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Evansville Elementary Evansville | 13.5 mi | 4.8 |
| ADAMS ELEMENTARY Fergus Falls | 20.3 mi | 5.2 |
| UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY Underwood | 20.7 mi | 5.3 |
| UNDERWOOD SECONDARY Underwood | 20.7 mi | 5.2 |
| HILLCREST LUTHERAN ACADEMY Fergus Falls | 20.6 mi | 4.6 |
| FERGUS FALLS EC/ELEMENTARY SP ED Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | — |
| FERGUS FALLS ELEMENTARY SP ED 5-8 Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | — |
| FERGUS FALLS AREA LEARNING CENTER Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | 5.9 |
| iQ Academy 9-12 Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | 6.5 |
| iQ Academy 6-8 Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | 2.6 |
| iQ Academy K-5 Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | 4.9 |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fergus Falls | 21.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Kennedy High School Fergus Falls | 21.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Kennedy Middle School Fergus Falls | 21.2 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56531 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,162
Median Home Value
$151,600
Median Rent
$785/mo
Population
1,948
College Educated
19.9%
Homeownership
75.5%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Central Area N. El. has a median household income of $73,162. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,600, with a median rent of $785/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| KING OF KINGS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Roseville, MN | 8.1 |
| MCGREGOR ELEMENTARY Mcgregor, MN | 8.1 |
| RED LAKE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Red Lake, MN | 8.1 |
| ST PETER CLAVER SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN | 8.1 |
| BLUFFVIEW MONTESSORI Winona, MN | 8.2 |
| Cambridge-Isanti STEAM School Isanti, MN | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Central Area N. El.
What grades does West Central Area N. El. serve?
West Central Area N. El. serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend West Central Area N. El.?
West Central Area N. El. has an enrollment of approximately 156 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Central Area N. El.?
The student-teacher ratio at West Central Area N. El. is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Central Area N. El. rank in MN?
West Central Area N. El. is ranked #180 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is West Central Area N. El.'s MySchoolScout rating?
West Central Area N. El. has a composite rating of 8.1 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 West Central Area N. El.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Central Area N. El. has 76.2% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Central Area N. El. a charter school?
No, West Central Area N. El. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Central Area N. El. a Title I school?
No, West Central Area N. El. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Central Area N. El.?
46.2% of students at West Central Area N. El. qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 156
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Grant County
- Phone
- (218) 685-7500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WEST CENTRAL AREA- District Enrollment
- 750
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,757
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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