The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Math. The lowest is 18% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hga Elementary
HGA Elementary is a public charter school in Saint Paul serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It operates as part of Higher Ground Academy, a single-school charter district. The school is located on Marshall Avenue in a city that is both Minnesota's capital and the seat of Ramsey County government, with a diverse population and a park system that has received national recognition. Saint Paul's downtown sits on a bend in the Mississippi River, and the city's civic life is anchored by the state capitol complex, cultural institutions, and professional sports venues.
Academically, HGA Elementary posts results that place it well above the midpoint among Ramsey County's school districts. On state assessments in math and reading, the school's overall proficiency rate across tested grades falls in the top quartile of districts in the county. This is a meaningful strength for a school of its size and type. Looking at grade-level results, fourth grade math and fifth grade reading both show a majority of students meeting proficiency standards. Third grade reading and math, as well as fourth grade reading, show a smaller share reaching that bar. Fifth grade science proficiency is notably lower, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school. The science assessment underwent a change in name and cut scores in the most recent year, which may affect comparability.
The school's enrollment is composed overwhelmingly of Black or African American students, with a very small number of White students. A very large share of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in this profile, so the school's support for those populations cannot be assessed here.
Because HGA Elementary serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not have data on chronic absenteeism in the available profile.
The district itself, Higher Ground Academy, was searched for recent parent-relevant changes, but no such changes surfaced in publicly available information beyond directory and mission content.
For a family considering this school, the picture is one of a charter elementary that serves a predominantly low-income Black student body and delivers academic proficiency that is strong relative to other districts in Ramsey County. The school does not offer programs data in this profile, so any specialized offerings such as arts, language, or enrichment are not described. The neighborhood around the school is in Saint Paul's Midway or near-east side; the city overall provides a dense urban environment with access to parks, transit through the Green Line light rail, and state government employment as a major anchor.
A parent should note the lower science proficiency and the gap in available data on special education and English learner services, and may want to ask the school directly about those areas. The strong relative performance on the core subjects of math and reading is the school's clearest academic asset.
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