The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Fergus Falls Elementary Sp Ed 5-8
Fergus Falls Elementary SP ED 5-8 is a special education school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, serving students in grades 5 through 8. It is part of the Fergus Falls Area Special Education Cooperative, a collaborative that provides specialized services across multiple member school districts in the region. This is not a general education school; its purpose is to serve students who have been identified as needing a more intensive, specialized educational setting than their home district can provide.
The school is small. Its total enrollment is small enough to be counted on one hand, and the grade-level breakdown shows a handful of students in grades 6 and 8, with no students reported in grades 5 and 7 in the most recent data. The student body is racially diverse, with a mix of White, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic students. Because of the school's size and specialized nature, typical state assessment data is reported but carries little statistical meaning. In math and English language arts, the reported proficiency rate is zero percent across tested grades, but this figure reflects the performance of a very small number of test-takers. In science, the state suppressed results due to even smaller counts, which is standard practice for privacy when a group is this small. The school's mission is not to produce high aggregate test scores; it is to provide individualized instruction and support for students with significant disabilities or special education needs. A parent looking at standard academic metrics will find the conventional benchmarks uninformative here.
Because Fergus Falls Elementary SP ED 5-8 does not serve high-school-age students in a diploma track, it has no reported graduation rate, and the chronic absenteeism metric was also unavailable. The absence of these measures is consistent with what you would expect from a specialized, non-diploma-granting program across this grade band. The school's performance, relative to districts in Otter Tail County, falls in the bottom quartile on an overall proficiency index, but that comparison is made against general education schools and districts, so it does not reflect how well this school meets its students' individualized goals. A parent evaluating this school would need to look beyond state test scores and instead inquire directly with the cooperative about its curriculum, therapeutic supports, transition planning, and how it coordinates with a student's home district.
The school is located in Fergus Falls, a micropolitan community that serves as the county seat of Otter Tail County. Fergus Falls has a diversified economy anchored by healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and utilities. Lake Region Healthcare is the largest employer, and Otter Tail Power Company is headquartered here. The downtown area along Lincoln Avenue features local shops, cafes, a community theater, and the River Walk Park along the Otter Tail River. The housing market is relatively affordable, with home values and rents that are lower than state and national medians. Population growth has been slow and steady, and the city has seen modest investment, including downtown improvements during its sesquicentennial in 2022. The area is also a destination for lake recreation and outdoor activities, with nearby state parks.
The Fergus Falls Area Special Education Cooperative, which operates this school, serves seven member districts. No recent parent-relevant changes to the cooperative's operations were found in publicly reported sources. For families considering this placement, the key question is how the program aligns with their child's individual education plan and what supports are available for academic, behavioral, and life skills development. The school's website was not provided in the available data, so direct contact with the cooperative would be the best next step for specifics on curriculum, related services, and the transition process for students returning to their home district or moving to high school programming.
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