The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in English language arts. The lowest is 27% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Gene Dillon Elementary School
Gene Dillon Elementary School serves fourth and fifth grade students in Bemidji, a regional hub for north-central Minnesota. The school is part of the Bemidji Public School District. Because it only serves two grades, it does not have a graduation rate. State testing data is available, and it shows a mixed academic picture relative to other elementary schools in Beltrami County.
The school's proficiency index, which averages performance across tested subjects and grades, places it in the top quartile among the districts in Beltrami County. This is a meaningful distinction. Yet the absolute proficiency rates, which are the percentages of students meeting state standards, vary noticeably by subject and grade level. In math, fourth graders posted a rate that was considerably higher than the fifth grade rate. In English language arts, the pattern reversed: fifth graders had a higher rate than fourth graders. Science results, tested only in fifth grade, were lower than the math and English rates. A parent trying to make sense of this year’s snapshot should know that it represents a single point in time, not a trend. No prior-year data was available in this report to show improvement or decline over time. The overall pattern suggests that a solid share of students meet state benchmarks in English and math, but a nontrivial number do not. The lower science proficiency rate is something a parent may want to discuss with the school to understand the curriculum and supports in place.
Enrollment is substantial for a school serving two grades. The student body is diverse, with the largest group being white students, followed by a significant share of American Indian or Alaska Native students. Small numbers of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and two-or-more-races students round out the population. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which means the school serves a community with a notable proportion of families facing economic need. Data on special education and English learner enrollment was not available from the sources used here, so a parent should ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. It is located in Bemidji, a city that blends a small downtown lakefront with industrial plants, government services, Bemidji State University, and a strong outdoor recreation culture. Housing costs in the area are moderate relative to the state, with both home values and rents below the Minnesota median. The district recently enacted several changes that affect families: an operating levy renewal that stabilizes funding, a shift to a structured literacy curriculum across all elementary schools, a round of budget cuts that reduced staffing and electives, and new attendance boundaries that redrew which elementary school children attend. Because Gene Dillon serves only fourth and fifth grades, a family’s feeder pattern into the school will depend on which elementary school their child previously attended and which middle school they will move to next. The boundary changes approved for the 2024-2025 school year may have altered that path for some families.
Overall, Gene Dillon Elementary offers a focused upper-elementary experience in a mid-sized city with a college-town feel. Its proficiency performance lands favorably compared to other Beltrami County schools, but the absolute numbers show room for growth, particularly in science. The school's diverse enrollment and significant share of low-income students mean it is likely a place where a range of student needs are present. Parents should expect to engage with the school on literacy and math outcomes, especially if their child arrives below grade level. The district’s recent curriculum shift in reading and its budget pressures are the backdrop against which this school operates.
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