Excellent
#5 of 1,992 schools in MN
Top 1% 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
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#5 of 1,992
In district
#1 of 4
WEST CENTRAL AREA
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around West Central Area N. El.?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
West Central Area N. El.
Elementary School in Elbow Lake · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
West Central Area Secondary
6.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wca Middle School
6.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About West Central Area N. El.
West Central Area N. El. is a public elementary school in Elbow Lake, MN, part of WEST CENTRAL AREA. West Central Area N.
El. serves approximately 156 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. West Central Area N. El. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #5 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for West Central Area N. El. show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 9.4 · Excellent
- District avg 7.7
- MN avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 156 students, West Central Area N. El. is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 9.2:1 students to teachers, West Central Area N. El. sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
West Central Area N. El. 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
View breakdown
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 28 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: 9.4/10.
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
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. OUR LADY OF VICTORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Fergus Falls), a more accessible option. Another option is ASHBY ELEMENTARY (rated 6.5/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Ashby), a more accessible option. Additionally, UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY (rated 6.4/10, 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 | 7.5 |
| WCA Middle School Barrett | 6.7 mi | 7.0 |
| ASHBY ELEMENTARY Ashby | 10.0 mi | 6.5 |
| ASHBY SECONDARY Ashby | 10.0 mi | 6.9 |
| HERMAN ELEMENTARY Herman | 14.8 mi | 4.6 |
| HERMAN SECONDARY Herman | 14.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Evansville Elementary Evansville | 13.5 mi | 5.9 |
| ADAMS ELEMENTARY Fergus Falls | 20.3 mi | 5.5 |
| UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY Underwood | 20.7 mi | 6.4 |
| UNDERWOOD SECONDARY Underwood | 20.7 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| iQ Academy 9-12 Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | 6.2 |
| iQ Academy 6-8 Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | 4.0 |
| iQ Academy K-5 Fergus Falls | 21.1 mi | 4.8 |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fergus Falls | 21.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Kennedy High School Fergus Falls | 21.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Kennedy Middle School Fergus Falls | 21.2 mi | 7.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| VIKING ELEMENTARY Viking, MN | 9.5 |
| RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond, MN | 9.6 |
| HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek, MN | 9.2 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Mankato, MN | 8.9 |
| NASHA SHKOLA CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn Park, MN | 8.9 |
| CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Lakeville, MN | 8.8 |
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. ranks #5 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is West Central Area N. El.'s MySchoolScout rating?
West Central Area N. El. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 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 West Central Area N. El.?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Central Area N. El. has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.2%
- Phone
- (218) 685-7500
Resources & Links
District
WEST CENTRAL AREA- District Enrollment
- 750
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,757
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.