Excellent
#14 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 1% in state
Windom Area Elementary
Elementary School · WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 177, Windom, MN 56101
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Windom
#1 of 5
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#14 of 962
In district
#1 of 3
WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Windom Area Elementary
Windom Area Elementary serves 447 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Windom, Minnesota. It earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — placing it 14th among 962 elementary schools statewide and putting it ahead of 99% of all public schools in Minnesota. That kind of performance doesn't happen by accident.
The numbers behind the rating tell a clear story. Academic achievement scores an 8.3, but the growth score — a 9.7 — is what stands out. Growth measures how much students improve year over year, independent of where they started.
A 9.7 signals that teachers here consistently move students forward at an exceptional pace. The student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8 to 1 keeps class sizes tight, giving each child more direct instructional time than most elementary students in the state receive. Windom Area Elementary is the top-ranked school among the five public schools in Windom.
Families comparing options locally aren't facing a close call — the gap between this school and its peers is meaningful. For parents relocating to southwest Minnesota or simply weighing neighborhood options, this is one of the strongest elementary programs the state has to offer. Its overall rating of Exceptional reflects consistent, verifiable results across both achievement and student growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Windom Area 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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Windom Area Elementary — Students at Windom Area Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Windom Area Elementary Compares
See how Windom Area Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 50% (2021) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2021) to 47% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 177, Windom, MN 56101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Windom Area Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COMFREY ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Comfrey), with a very similar rating. Another option is PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY (rated 6.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Lakefield), a more accessible option. Additionally, RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.4/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Jackson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Windom, see our Windom schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WINDOM SENIOR HIGH Windom | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| WINDOM MIDDLE Windom | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| SWWC ELC - Windom Windom | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| SWWC ALC - Windom Windom | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER Windom | 1.1 mi | — |
| NEUHOF SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 9.8 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield | 13.6 mi | 5.3 |
| HERON LAKE-OKABENA ELEMENTARY Heron Lake | 10.9 mi | 4.3 |
| PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield | 14.0 mi | 6.6 |
| JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield | 14.0 mi | 6.4 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 10.9 mi | 8.0 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake | 11.0 mi | 7.3 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY Mountain Lake | 11.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary Okabena | 13.3 mi | 5.5 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Okabena | 13.3 mi | — |
| ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 12.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Jackson County Central Senior High Jackson | 18.5 mi | 5.6 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Jackson | 18.6 mi | 6.4 |
| COMFREY ELEMENTARY Comfrey | 19.5 mi | 9.0 |
| COMFREY SECONDARY Comfrey | 19.5 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,354
Median Home Value
$171,900
Median Rent
$777/mo
Population
6,081
College Educated
24.1%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
14.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Windom Area Elementary has a median household income of $71,354. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,900, with a median rent of $777/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| ADRIAN ELEMENTARY Adrian, MN | 9.1 |
| CALEDONIA ELEMENTARY Caledonia, MN | 9.2 |
| CUYUNA RANGE ELEMENTARY Crosby, MN | 9.2 |
| GIDEON POND ELEMENTARY Burnsville, MN | 9.0 |
| Lake Harriet Upper Elementary Minneapolis, MN | 9.2 |
| SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY Springfield, MN | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Windom Area Elementary
What grades does Windom Area Elementary serve?
Windom Area Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Windom Area Elementary?
Windom Area Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Windom Area Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Windom Area 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 Windom Area Elementary rank in MN?
Windom Area Elementary is ranked #14 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Windom Area Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Windom Area Elementary has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Windom Area Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Windom Area Elementary has 53.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Windom Area Elementary a charter school?
No, Windom Area Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Windom Area Elementary a Title I school?
No, Windom Area Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Windom Area Elementary?
57.7% of students at Windom Area 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cottonwood County
- Phone
- (507) 831-6925
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,150
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,801
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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