The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 39% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Bert Raney Elementary School
Bert Raney Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Granite Falls, the seat of Yellow Medicine County. It is a regular public school within the Yellow Medicine East district. The school sits in a small town along the Minnesota River with a compact downtown core, walking trails, and a historic suspension bridge. Major local employers include manufacturing firms, an ethanol plant, a community and technical college, and a casino resort. The population has been slowly declining in recent years, and no major new housing developments were identified in publicly available accounts.
Academically, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint among districts in Yellow Medicine County, based on the most recent state assessments. In math, proficiency rates vary by grade, with third grade and fifth grade showing higher performance than fourth grade. In English language arts, fifth graders posted a notably strong result, while third and fourth graders were lower. Science results for fifth graders were moderate. Because the school does not serve grades beyond fifth, there is no graduation rate to report, and state testing data is limited to the three tested grades. The school’s assessment results come from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, and the science test changed its name and cut scores in the reported year, which may affect trend comparability; only a single year of data is available for all subjects, so no multi-year trend can be assessed.
The student body is predominantly White, with smaller shares of Hispanic students, students identifying as two or more races, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant level of economic need in the community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the provided information, so a parent may wish to ask the school directly about supports in those areas. The school’s enrollment size is moderate for an elementary serving these grades, with a typical distribution across kindergarten through fifth grade and a smaller prekindergarten program.
Homes in the Granite Falls area are relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks, with typical values well below the Minnesota median. The area’s median household income is modest, and unemployment rates have been slightly above the national average during the most recent period. The local housing market has seen some appreciation recently, but overall affordability remains a notable feature for families considering the community.
The Yellow Medicine East district is currently pursuing a facilities plan developed through a community process that included public meetings, focus groups, and a survey. The school board voted to ask voters to consider a referendum to address aging school buildings identified as impacting student learning. Early voting was set to begin before the August election. The outcome of this referendum will shape the physical learning environment in the district and could affect property tax obligations for residents. A parent moving into the area may want to follow this decision closely, as it could lead to changes in school facilities in the coming years. Other program details, such as course offerings or enrichment opportunities, were not provided in the data reviewed.
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