The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Step Academy Kg-5th - Burnsville
STEP Academy Kg-5th - Burnsville is a public charter school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Burnsville, a suburban bedroom community south of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The school operates under the STEP Academy charter, though the district brief turned up no parent-relevant changes or strategic priorities publicly reported for the recent past. A family considering this school is choosing a small, standalone elementary charter rather than a neighborhood school within one of the larger surrounding districts.
The school’s enrollment is small for a K-5 building, with a student body that is almost entirely Black. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is substantial, placing the school in a moderate-income context relative to other schools in the area. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those support services.
On state assessments, performance is a central point of consideration. In mathematics, proficiency rates across grades three through five are low, with fifth-grade math showing the weakest results. In reading, the picture is mixed: third-grade reading scores are low, while fourth and fifth grade reading proficiency rates are higher but still below a typical benchmark. Science results for fifth grade are low as well. The school’s overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile among districts in Dakota County. Only one year of testing data is available, so no trend—improving or declining—can be identified. A family concerned about academic outcomes would want to explore what instructional supports and interventions the school offers and how it is working to raise achievement.
The school itself does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Because it is a charter, it operates independently from the larger district structures, and its program offerings are not detailed in the available data. Parents should expect to learn about the school’s curriculum, enrichment, and any specialized focus directly from the school’s leadership.
Burnsville, where the school is located, is a built-out suburb that grew rapidly in the late 20th century and is now focused on redevelopment. Its “Heart of the City” downtown development offers an urban-style retail and civic core, including a performing arts center. Most of the city is car-dependent, with a mix of commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods. Housing values in the area are moderate for the Twin Cities metro, and the rental market reflects a similar middle ground. Major employers include the local school district, a hospital, and several retail and distribution companies. The city has ample parkland and access to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which may appeal to families who value outdoor recreation.
For a family weighing this school, the primary considerations are the size and demographic composition of the student body, the charter autonomy, and the current low proficiency rates. The school may serve a community that values a focused, smaller environment, but the academic data suggests that a parent should look into the school’s specific improvement plans and supports for students who are below grade level. The absence of special population counts is an information gap worth filling by contacting the school directly.
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