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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,539

Windom Area Elementary — Students at Windom Area Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2021*
Math
50%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
56%
ELA
47%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.1/10
99th percentile in MN
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (918/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Windom). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,150
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,801
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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