Elementary Schools in St. Paul School of Northern Lights

The St. Paul School of Northern Lights is the sole elementary school located in the St. Paul School of Northern Lights district, serving grades K-6 with a total enrollment of 198 students. While the school boasts a diverse student population, its academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, raises some concerns.

The school's proficiency rates on the MCA-III tests consistently fall below the state averages across all grades and subject areas, particularly in math and science. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's 6th-grade math proficiency rate was just 9.09%, compared to the state average of 40.25%. Similarly, the school's 5th-grade science proficiency rate was 27.78%, significantly lower than the state average of 45.02%. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has declined over the past three years, from 565th out of 858 Minnesota elementary schools in 2021-2022 to 648th out of 881 in 2023-2024.

One potential contributing factor to the school's academic challenges may be its high student-teacher ratio of 39.6, which could make it more difficult for teachers to provide individualized attention and support to students. Furthermore, the school serves a significant population of students from low-income families, with 33.84% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. To improve student outcomes, the St. Paul School of Northern Lights may need to focus on strengthening its academic programs, providing more personalized support for students, and addressing any underlying issues that are contributing to the lower test scores and declining statewide ranking.