The top reported proficiency rate is 63% in Math. The lowest is 41% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on United South Central Elementary
United South Central Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in the small rural town of Wells, Minnesota. The school is part of the United South Central Schools district, which operates as a consolidated PK-12 campus in this southern Minnesota community. Wells itself is a compact agricultural town with a modest commercial core along Broadway, a local clinic, banks, and a range of small businesses. The population has seen a slight decline in recent years, and the housing market reflects the area’s rural character, with home values well below state and national medians.
The school’s student body is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic population and a small share of students identifying as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available in the source materials.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, United South Central Elementary’s performance shows a pattern that varies by grade and subject. In reading, the share of students meeting proficiency standards was around half at third grade, then rose to just under two-thirds at fourth grade and above that level at fifth grade, before settling at just over half at sixth grade. In math, proficiency was strong at third and fourth grades, but the rate dropped as students progressed, with a notably lower result at sixth grade. Science results, available only for fifth grade, showed a proficient share of about two out of every five students. Overall, when looking across all tested grades and subjects, the school’s composite proficiency level places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Faribault County. It is important to note that this comparison is among only two districts in the county, so the range is narrow. Still, within that context, the school’s academic performance stands as a relative strength.
The school lacks some of the data points that often help families evaluate a school more fully. Chronic absenteeism rates and discipline data were not available in the source materials. Attendance information was also absent. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these areas, particularly how the elementary handles student engagement and behavior.
United South Central Schools recently secured voter approval for a bond referendum to fund facility upgrades across the PK-12 campus. Planned work includes HVAC and roof repairs, security enhancements, classroom renovations, and a new agricultural and industrial arts shop. Construction began in summer 2024 and is expected to continue through the 2025-2026 school year. This investment signals a commitment to the physical plant that serves the town’s students, though it also raised property taxes for local homeowners.
For a family considering this school, the picture is that of a district elementary in a slowly shrinking rural town, with academic results that are generally solid at the lower grades and become more uneven by sixth grade. The school serves as the elementary hub of a consolidated district, meaning students who continue through the system will move on to a shared middle and high school on the same campus. The lack of several common data points, particularly around attendance and discipline, means a family should plan to seek that information directly from the school or district office. The planned facility upgrades are a concrete development that addresses the aging infrastructure, which may matter to families who value modernized learning spaces. On balance, this is a school that shows academic strength in the early elementary years, at least relative to the small set of nearby districts, but the trend in math performance across grades is something a parent may want to discuss with the principal or teaching staff.
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