Below Average
#1846 of 1,986 schools in MN
Willow River Elementary
Elementary School · WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
8142 PINE ST, Willow River, MN 55795
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Willow River
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#912 of 962
In district
#2 of 2
WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Willow River Elementary
Willow River Elementary is a small rural public school located in the heart of Willow River, Minnesota. Situated on Pine Street, this elementary school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 224 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
Willow River Elementary has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing educational environment. The school’s academic performance shows that it is focusing on continuous improvement; its MySchoolScout rating is currently 4.5 out of 10, and the state ranking places it at #1491 among 2027 schools in Minnesota, which is around the 26th percentile. Students perform particularly well in English Language Arts (ELA), with 57% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, while 47% achieve this level in mathematics.
The school's remote rural setting offers a close-knit community where students and families know each other well. Willow River Elementary is committed to supporting the academic and social development of its students within a tight-knit neighborhood that values education and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Willow River 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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Data not available for this school
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Willow River Elementary — Students at Willow River Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.2%
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: 1.5/10.
How Willow River Elementary Compares
See how Willow River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
8142 PINE ST, Willow River, MN 55795
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willow River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CROMWELL-WRIGHT ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 24.9 miles away, in nearby Cromwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOOSE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Moose Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Finlayson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Willow River, see our Willow River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 30.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY Willow River | 0.0 mi | 6.9 |
| MOOSE LAKE ELEMENTARY Moose Lake | 8.4 mi | 7.9 |
| MOOSE LAKE SECONDARY Moose Lake | 8.4 mi | 5.7 |
| EAST CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Finlayson | 9.6 mi | 7.6 |
| EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY Finlayson | 9.6 mi | 5.2 |
| CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER Finlayson | 9.6 mi | 5.2 |
| MCF-MOOSE LAKE/WILLOW RIVER Moose Lake | 9.1 mi | — |
| FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY Finlayson | 9.1 mi | 7.9 |
| BARNUM ELEMENTARY Barnum | 14.6 mi | 5.8 |
| BARNUM SECONDARY Barnum | 14.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Pine County Transition Program Hinckley | 21.6 mi | — |
| HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SECONDARY Hinckley | 21.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Empower Learning Center Hinckley | 21.6 mi | — |
| HINCKLEY ELEMENTARY Hinckley | 21.7 mi | 6.4 |
| CROMWELL-WRIGHT SECONDARY Cromwell | 24.9 mi | 7.2 |
| CROMWELL-WRIGHT ELEMENTARY Cromwell | 24.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Cloquet | 31.1 mi | — |
| PINE CITY ELEMENTARY Pine City | 35.0 mi | 6.7 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD Pine City | 35.0 mi | — |
| SOUTH TERRACE ELEMENTARY Carlton | 30.1 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55795 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,485
Median Home Value
$223,900
Median Rent
$785/mo
Population
1,876
College Educated
13.8%
Homeownership
86.3%
Avg Commute
36.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willow River Elementary has a median household income of $69,485. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,900, with a median rent of $785/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AFSA Elementary Little Canada, MN | 4.3 |
| Rise Academy Saint Paul, MN | 4.3 |
| Success Academy Saint Cloud Saint Cloud, MN | 4.3 |
| BLOOMINGTON LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bloomington, MN | 4.2 |
| HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji, MN | 4.4 |
| Lowell Elementary Duluth, MN | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willow River Elementary
What grades does Willow River Elementary serve?
Willow River Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Willow River Elementary?
Willow River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 224 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Willow River Elementary is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willow River Elementary rank in MN?
Willow River Elementary is ranked #1846 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Willow River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Willow River Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Willow River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow River Elementary has 47.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willow River Elementary a charter school?
No, Willow River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willow River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Willow River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow River Elementary?
44.2% of students at Willow River 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,329/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 224
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Pine County
- Phone
- (218) 372-3131
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 415
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,797
- District Rank
- #2 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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