The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Minnesota Excellence in Learning Ac
Minnesota Excellence in Learning Academy is a charter school district that operates a single school in Maple Grove, within Hennepin County. It serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade, making it an elementary-level setting that does not extend into high school. Families considering this district should know that it offers only an early-to-middle grades pathway; after sixth grade, students would need to transition to another school for further education. No high school graduation rate exists for this district, and that is a natural consequence of the grade band it serves.
The student body is small, and its composition is distinct within the county. A large majority of students are Black, with smaller shares of Hispanic, White, and multiracial students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, as well as those receiving special education services or classified as English learners, were not available in the reporting sources. A family wanting to understand the level of economic or academic support the school provides would need to ask the school directly.
On state assessments, the district's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint among Hennepin County's districts. This means that a smaller share of students met grade-level standards in math and reading compared with many neighboring districts. In the most recent testing, proficiency rates varied modestly by grade: third-grade reading and math results showed that a majority of students were not reaching the bar, while fifth-grade reading had a somewhat higher share of students scoring proficient. By sixth grade, no student who took the math assessment scored at the proficient level. Science results for fifth graders were also low. The pattern suggests that academic achievement is an area the school is working on, and a parent may want to ask about the specific interventions and curricula in place.
Chronic absenteeism is another concern. The district’s chronic absenteeism rate is above the county median, meaning that a relatively high share of students miss enough school to affect their learning. This is a soft spot that families should explore: what supports are in place to improve attendance, and how does the school communicate with families about this issue?
The district spends above the midpoint among county districts on a per-pupil basis, so its financial resources per student are comparatively strong. Without more detailed information on how those funds are used, it is not possible to say whether they translate into smaller class sizes, additional staff, or enrichment programs. No recent referendums, property-tax changes, or curriculum overhauls were publicly reported, so the district appears to have been stable in those respects.
This is a small, single-school charter district in a suburban Twin Cities community. Its academic results and attendance patterns are challenges that potential families will want to weigh carefully. For a family seeking a close-knit early-grades environment and who is prepared to plan for a middle and high school transition after sixth grade, the school may be worth a closer look, especially if they can learn more about the school’s instructional approach and how it supports students who are behind grade level.
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