Photo: 123dieinafire · Public domainNowthen’s public schools outscore 80% of Minnesota districts
In Nowthen, 54% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Nowthen, 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 96% 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.
Nowthen’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 222 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Nowthen’s, its schools beat 65%, lower than their 80% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 54% across both districts 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
Elk River spends $13,652 per student and St. Francis Area Schools $13,837, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. John Lutheran School (private) and St. John Lutheran (private) are in town. 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 Nowthen’s grade
A−: better than 80% of Minnesota school districts, #87 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 Nowthen, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Nowthen
Ecfc - VPK
Grades PK · 60 students · in Oak Grove
Nowthen runs its own schools through grade 12 (Elk River School District). From grade PK, students attend the St. Francis Area Schools, shared with Athens, Bethel, East Bethel, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford. Its elementary school is in Otsego. Parts of Nowthen (16% of its land) are served by Anoka-Hennepin Public instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Nowthen
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
Nowthen vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Nowthen’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Nowthen | A− | Elk River PK–12 · St. Francis Area Schools PK–12 |
| St. Francis | B | St. Francis Area Schools |
| Ramsey | A− | Anoka-Hennepin Public PK–12 · Elk River PK–12 |
| Oak Grove | B | St. Francis Area Schools |
| Elk River | A | Elk River |
2 of the 4 neighbors share St. Francis Area Schools with Nowthen for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Nowthen
24 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Crossroads School).
Questions about Nowthen’s schools
Are Nowthen’s schools good?
By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Nowthen children attend outscore 80% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #87 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Nowthen in?
Two districts: Elk River School District runs grades PK–12, and St. Francis Area Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Athens, Bethel, East Bethel, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford.
Where do Nowthen kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Rogers Senior High, Elk River Senior High, St. Francis High and Zimmerman High School.
What is Nowthen’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 Nowthen spend per student?
$13,652 in Elk River School District and $13,837 in St. Francis Area Schools (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Nowthen?
Yes: St. John Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 178 students) and St. John Lutheran (religious, grades PK–8, 175 students).
Parents talk
What Nowthen families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Nowthen → 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.