Excellent
#15 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 1% in state
West Elementary
Elementary School · Murray County Central Schools
2640 FOREST AVE, Slayton, MN 56172
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Slayton
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#15 of 962
In district
#1 of 2
Murray County Central Schools
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About West Elementary
West Elementary is a regular public school in Slayton, Minnesota, enrolling 391 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade. Its 14.0:1 student-teacher ratio keeps class sizes manageable, which means teachers spend more direct time with each student rather than managing large groups. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10, rated Exceptional.
An academic score of 9.7 and growth score of 9.3 drive that result. On a statewide scale, those numbers place West Elementary 15th out of 1,986 public schools in Minnesota — a position that puts it ahead of 99% of schools in the state. The ranking holds when the comparison narrows to grade-level peers: among 962 Minnesota elementary schools, West Elementary again lands at 15th.
For families evaluating schools in Slayton, the local picture is clear: West Elementary is the top-ranked school in the city. Its statewide rank of 15th out of 1,986 confirms that standing extends far beyond the local comparison. Whether measured against all public schools or against elementary-only peers, the result is the same.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West 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
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West Elementary — Students at West Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.5%
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
→ 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: 9.3/10.
How West Elementary Compares
See how West Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
2640 FOREST AVE, Slayton, MN 56172
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ADRIAN ELEMENTARY (rated 9.1/10, 26.0 miles away, in nearby Adrian), with a very similar rating. Another option is TRACY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Tracy), with a comparable rating. Additionally, FULDA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Fulda), a more accessible option. For more schools in Slayton, see our Slayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Murray County Central High School Slayton | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| FULDA SECONDARY Fulda | 11.2 mi | 5.6 |
| FULDA ELEMENTARY Fulda | 11.3 mi | 7.1 |
| TRACY SECONDARY Tracy | 17.7 mi | 5.2 |
| TRACY ELEMENTARY Tracy | 17.9 mi | 8.6 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tracy | 18.5 mi | 6.6 |
| WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE SECONDARY Westbrook | 17.1 mi | 6.5 |
| WALNUT GROVE ELEMENTARY Walnut Grove | 21.8 mi | 6.0 |
| EDGERTON ELEMENTARY Edgerton | 19.7 mi | 6.2 |
| EDGERTON SECONDARY Edgerton | 19.7 mi | 5.4 |
| WORTHINGTON MIDDLE Worthington | 25.6 mi | 6.0 |
| SOUTHWEST MN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Edgerton | 19.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Learning Center Worthington | 26.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Learning Center Night Worthington | 26.0 mi | 4.9 |
| FREE CHRISTIAN Edgerton | 20.0 mi | — |
| Intermediate School Worthington | 26.1 mi | 6.5 |
| ADRIAN ELEMENTARY Adrian | 26.0 mi | 9.1 |
| ADRIAN SECONDARY Adrian | 26.0 mi | 6.1 |
| ADRIAN MIDDLE Adrian | 26.0 mi | 4.5 |
| WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Worthington | 25.8 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56172 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,583
Median Home Value
$189,900
Median Rent
$707/mo
Population
2,954
College Educated
31.1%
Homeownership
76.2%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
44
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Elementary has a median household income of $79,583. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,900, with a median rent of $707/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| GIDEON POND ELEMENTARY Burnsville, MN | 9.0 |
| SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY Springfield, MN | 9.0 |
| ADRIAN ELEMENTARY Adrian, MN | 9.1 |
| BLOOMING PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY Blooming Prairie, MN | 8.9 |
| GREENVALE PARK ELEMENTARY Northfield, MN | 8.9 |
| KENWOOD ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Elementary
What grades does West Elementary serve?
West Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend West Elementary?
West Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Elementary rank in MN?
West Elementary is ranked #15 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Elementary has 75.0% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Elementary a charter school?
No, West Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Elementary?
42.5% of students at West 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Slayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 391
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Murray County
- Phone
- (507) 836-6450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Murray County Central Schools- District Enrollment
- 701
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,117
- 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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