The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Math. The lowest is 48% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elementary
Lincoln Elementary is an early-grades school in Bemidji, serving pre-kindergarten through third grade as part of the Bemidji Public School District. Because it covers only the youngest students, state testing results are available for just one grade level, and the picture that emerges is a positive one for a school of this type and community. On grade-level assessments in math and reading, Lincoln’s third graders performed well above typical levels when compared with other schools across Beltrami County. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects placed it in the top quarter of schools in the county, a notable position given that many of its students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The school is a regular public school with a modest enrollment that is small relative to a full K-5 elementary, and it draws from a neighborhood near Lake Bemidji. Its student body reflects the broader Bemidji area: a substantial majority of students are white, and a meaningful share of students are American Indian or Alaska Native, consistent with the city’s role as a regional hub for three nearby Ojibwe reservations. A sizable portion of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which gives a sense of the economic diversity at the school. There is no data available on special education or English learner populations, so families with specific support needs may want to ask the school directly.
The district has made several recent changes that directly affect Lincoln. A new evidence-based literacy curriculum, aligned with Minnesota’s READ Act, was implemented across all elementary schools beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. That shift from balanced literacy to structured literacy, with an emphasis on phonics and comprehension, means Lincoln’s K-3 teachers have received training in these methods and the school is using a different approach to reading instruction than in previous years. At the same time, the district has faced budget pressures: it approved significant cuts for the 2023-2024 school year, including staffing reductions and adjustments to transportation, driven by declining enrollment and the end of federal COVID-era funding. Voters later approved an operating levy renewal that protects class sizes and programs from further cuts, so the near-term budget picture is more stable. The school board also redrew elementary attendance boundaries effective 2024-2025 to balance enrollment across buildings, so families should verify that their address still falls within Lincoln’s zone.
Bemidji itself is the largest commercial and civic center between Grand Forks and Duluth, with a compact downtown along the shores of Lake Bemidji. Bemidji State University adds a college-town feel, and the city serves as the county seat and a medical, governmental, and trade hub. Major employers include the university, Sanford Health, the county government, the school district, and wood-products plants. The housing market in the area shows home values and rents that are modest relative to the state average but have been rising gradually. The city has seen slight population growth in recent years, and the economy is diversified enough to offer stable employment for many families.
Lincoln Elementary does not serve upper elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate or middle school data attached to this building. The school’s academic performance, based on the limited testing available, is a clear strength, especially in math, where proficiency was higher than in reading. Families looking for a strong early academic foundation in a community that blends small-city amenities with outdoor recreation and a visible Native American cultural presence will find Lincoln a solid option. The district’s recent curricular change and boundary adjustments are factors to be aware of, and the budget cuts of the previous year underscore that resources are not unlimited. But the school’s standing relative to its county peers suggests that students here are getting a capable start.
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