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Needs Improvement

#440 of 451 schools in ND

Sawyer Elementary School

Elementary School · SAWYER 16

25 1st Ave SW, Sawyer, ND 58781

Enrollment

60

Student-Teacher

5:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota elementary schools

#244 of 252

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Sawyer Elementary School

Sawyer Elementary School is a small rural school located in Sawyer, North Dakota. With an enrollment of just 60 students and a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment where teachers can provide individualized attention to each child. The school covers grades PK through 8th grade, making it a one-stop educational hub for young learners in the area.

Sawyer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating is 3.1 out of 10 and ranks at #423 among North Dakota’s 457 schools, reflecting room for academic growth. Test scores show that 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these statistics, the school is dedicated to supporting its students and fostering their development.

The setting around Sawyer Elementary School is rural, with a close-knit community feel where everyone knows each other. This environment provides students with a nurturing and supportive place to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 60 students, Sawyer Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Sawyer Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Sawyer Elementary School 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 Progress1.4Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,357

Sawyer Elementary School — Students at Sawyer Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
10%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Sawyer Elementary School Compares

See how Sawyer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in ND
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
1.4/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

25 1st Ave SW, Sawyer, ND 58781

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sawyer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Minot), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEDROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Minot), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VELVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Velva), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sawyer, see our Sawyer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SAWYER HIGH SCHOOL Sawyer 0.0 mi
VELVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Velva 5.9 mi 8.0
VELVA HIGH SCHOOL Velva 5.9 mi 4.5
SURREY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Surrey 10.8 mi 7.2
SURREY HIGH SCHOOL Surrey 10.8 mi 6.4
BELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 9.3 mi 8.4
NEDROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 11.5 mi 8.1
NEDROSE HIGH SCHOOL Minot 11.5 mi 6.3
SOUTH PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 11.5 mi 5.6
SOUTH PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL Minot 11.5 mi 4.6
JOHN HOEVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 12.7 mi 6.8
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 13.8 mi 3.8
OUR REDEEMERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Minot 13.8 mi 6.2
SUNNYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 14.2 mi 4.7
TGU-GRANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Granville 15.4 mi 8.4
TGU-GRANVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Granville 15.5 mi 7.4
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 15.0 mi 5.5
MINOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Minot 15.0 mi
CENTRAL CAMPUS SCHOOL Minot 14.8 mi 4.4
EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Minot 14.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58781 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,750

Median Home Value

$263,200

Median Rent

$1,225/mo

Population

691

College Educated

29.1%

Homeownership

94.6%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sawyer Elementary School has a median household income of $103,750. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,200, with a median rent of $1,225/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jamestown, ND 3.5
ASHLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ashley, ND 3.8
STRASBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Strasburg, ND 3.9
DAKOTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fargo, ND 4.6
BOWBELLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowbells, ND 4.7
FAIRMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmount, ND 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sawyer Elementary School

What grades does Sawyer Elementary School serve?

Sawyer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Sawyer Elementary School?

Sawyer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 60 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sawyer Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sawyer Elementary School is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sawyer Elementary School rank in ND?

Sawyer Elementary School is ranked #440 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is Sawyer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sawyer Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Sawyer Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sawyer Elementary School has 36.5% math proficiency and 29.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sawyer Elementary School a charter school?

No, Sawyer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sawyer Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Sawyer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sawyer Elementary School?

56.7% of students at Sawyer Elementary School 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

County Safety
Low (120/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ward County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SAWYER 16
District Enrollment
73
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,342
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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