Afsa Elementary, Little Canada MN

Original Research by School Decision on Afsa Elementary

AFSA Elementary is a charter school in Little Canada, Minnesota, serving kindergarten through sixth grade. It is part of the AFSA High School district, though the elementary operates as its own building and program. The school is a regular public charter, which means it is publicly funded but operates independently of the local school district, and families choose it through an open enrollment process rather than being assigned by address. In fall 2024 the district expanded to offer Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten at the elementary building, extending the school's reach into early childhood.

Academically, the school’s state assessment results place it below the midpoint among districts in Ramsey County, according to the available proficiency index. On the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments for the 2024-25 school year, the share of students meeting proficiency in math and reading was low across all tested grades. In math, proficiency rates fell in the lower range for grades three and four and were even lower for grades five and six. In reading, rates varied by grade but remained modest, with the highest rate in grade five. Science proficiency, measured in grade five, was also low. Because this is the only year of data available, no trend can be assessed. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.

The student body is small and diverse. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating elevated poverty levels. Racially and ethnically, the enrollment is majority white, with notable populations of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students, as well smaller shares of Asian and American Indian students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, which a parent may want to follow up on with the school.

The school describes itself as having a science- and agriculture-focused curriculum, a distinctive emphasis that shapes its identity. This focus was mentioned in connection with the PreK expansion and may appeal to families looking for a hands-on, outdoor-oriented academic program. No other program offerings, such as arts, music, or specialized electives, were reported in the data.

Little Canada is a second-ring suburb of the Twin Cities, bisected by Interstate 35E into a residential eastern half and a more commercial western half. The city is car-oriented, with major freeways and a network of parks and trails, but no traditional walkable downtown. Residents rely on nearby St. Paul and Minneapolis for dense commercial and cultural amenities. The city maintains a distinct French Canadian heritage, with an annual Canadian Days celebration and city symbols that reflect that identity.

Housing in the area is moderate in cost relative to the broader Twin Cities market. Home values and rents are below national benchmarks, which may make the area more accessible for families. The city’s population has seen a slight decline since 2020, and development has been shaped by postwar suburban growth and freeway construction. No major new housing developments were identified in available sources.

The school’s environment is shaped by its charter status and its small size. No information was available on discipline, chronic absenteeism, or staffing ratios. A parent interested in these aspects of school climate would need to seek that information directly from the school or district.

AFSA Elementary offers a niche option for families in Little Canada and the surrounding area who value a science- and agriculture-themed elementary education within a small, diverse school community. The academic performance numbers are low compared to the rest of the county, which is an important consideration. The school’s grade band stops at sixth, so families will need to plan for a transition to a different middle school or continue with AFSA High School, which serves grades seven through twelve. The recent addition of PreK makes it a potential long-term choice for families starting early.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 326%

School 26% · District 26%

▼ 29 pts below state median · ▼ 7 pts below county median

Grade 427%

School 27% · District 27%

▼ 24 pts below state median · even with county median

Grade 511%

School 11% · District 11%

▼ 24 pts below state median · ▼ 9 pts below county median

Grade 611%

School 11% · District 11%

▼ 16 pts below state median · ▼ 4 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 311%

School 11% · District 11%

▼ 31 pts below state median · ▼ 16 pts below county median

Grade 420%

School 20% · District 20%

▼ 21 pts below state median · ▼ 4 pts below county median

Grade 537%

School 37% · District 37%

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 3 pts below county median

Grade 630%

School 30% · District 30%

▼ 16 pts below state median · ▼ 4 pts below county median

Science

Grade 515%

School 15% · District 15%

▼ 9 pts below state median · ▲ 2 pts above county median

This schoolAFSA HIGH SCHOOL, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 5Lower-income27%Higher-income50%23 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income25%Higher-income33%8 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income36%Higher-income53%17 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income35%Higher-income37%2 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 5Lower-income0%Higher-income25%25 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income0%Higher-income20%20 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income21%Higher-income26%5 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income10%Higher-income25%15 pp gap