Photo: ElkRiverCommunications · CC BY-SA 4.0Elk River’s public schools outscore 87% of Minnesota districts
Math proficiency in Elk River’s districts is 59%, above the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Elk River, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.
From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Elk River’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 60% and math 59% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,652 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Spectrum High School, Spectrum Middle School - Grade 6, Spectrum Middle School - Grades 7-8, Three Rivers Montessori School, St. Andrew Catholic School (private) and My Own Montessori (private) are in town. Online728 High School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Elk River’s grade
A: better than 87% of Minnesota school districts, #48 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Minnesota average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Elk River, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Elk River · depends on your address
Salk Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 638 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Vandenberge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 557 students · 23:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Elk River · depends on your address
Salk Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 638 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Vandenberge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 557 students · 23:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Elk River · depends on your address
Salk Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 638 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Vandenberge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 557 students · 23:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Elk River
Elk River Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,562 students · 26:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Elk River
Elk River Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,562 students · 26:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Elk River
Elk River Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,562 students · 26:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Elk River
Elk River Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,562 students · 26:1 students per teacher
Elk River’s public schools are run by Elk River School District, which also serves Albertville, Big Lake, Livonia and Nowthen and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Elk River vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Elk River’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Elk River | A | Elk River |
| Otsego | A | Elk River PK–12 · St. Michael-Albertville PK–12 |
| Big Lake | A | Big Lake Public PK–12 · Elk River PK–12 |
| Ramsey | A− | Anoka-Hennepin Public PK–12 · Elk River PK–12 |
| Livonia | A | Elk River |
| Nowthen | A− | Elk River PK–12 · St. Francis Area Schools PK–12 |
| Dayton | B+ | Anoka-Hennepin Public |
5 of the 6 neighbors share Elk River with Elk River, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Elk River
17 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 8 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Spectrum Online Middle School, Spectrum Online High School, Ivan Sand Community School- Is, Ivan Sand After School Credit Recov, Ivan Sand Community School Summer, Isd 728 Focus/Journey, Elk River District Shared Time Prog and Ivan Sand Middle School ALC).
Questions about Elk River’s schools
Are Elk River’s schools good?
By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Elk River children attend outscore 87% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #48 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Elk River in?
Elk River School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,577 students in 26 schools (2024–25).
Where do Elk River kids go to high school?
Elk River Senior High, with 1,562 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Elk River’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Elk River School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Elk River spend per student?
$13,652 in Elk River School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Elk River?
Yes: St. Andrew Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 180 students) and My Own Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 27 students). Elk River also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Elk River families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Elk River → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.