The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Edward Neill Elementary
Edward Neill Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Burnsville, a large southwestern suburb of the Twin Cities. The school sits within the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district, which, as publicly reported, recently reduced its number of elementary buildings from ten to eight, including the closure of one school due to funding constraints, and also launched a permanent K-12 virtual academy called ONE91 Virtual Academy. For families in the attendance zone, these shifts may affect school assignment patterns and the range of learning options available.
Burnsville itself grew rapidly after the construction of Interstate 35 and is now considered largely built out, with recent development focused on redevelopment projects such as the "Heart of the City" smart-growth downtown district. The city is primarily a residential bedroom community for Minneapolis and Saint Paul, with a mix of commercial and retail development, including a regional mall. Walkability is concentrated in that downtown area; outside it the built environment is car-dependent. Major employers include the school district itself, a hospital, and a variety of corporate and retail firms. The city has many parks and access to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge along the Minnesota River.
Edward Neill Elementary enrolls a modest number of students for an elementary school, with a full PK-5 grade span. The student body is diverse: the largest group identifies as Hispanic, followed by white, Black, and then two or more races, with a smaller Asian population and a very small American Indian representation. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with higher economic need than many in the surrounding area.
On state assessments, which are given in grades 3-5 for math and reading and in grade 5 for science, the school's proficiency rates fell below the midpoint when compared with other districts across Dakota County. In math, the share of students meeting standards varied by grade, with third and fourth grade showing a higher rate than fifth, where the proficiency rate was notably lower. In reading, the pattern was similar, with a higher rate in third grade and a slow decline through fourth and fifth. In science, the proficiency rate was very low among fifth graders. Because only one year of data was available, there is no trend to examine. A parent may want to ask the school about what academic supports are in place, particularly for older elementary students, and about how the school addresses gaps in math and science achievement.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing, and course access were not available in the materials reviewed. The absence of these figures is not unusual for an elementary school that does not administer the full set of civil rights or climate surveys, but a family interested in the school environment may wish to request that information directly.
Housing in the Burnsville area is priced at a moderate level relative to the broader Minneapolis-St. Paul metro—home values and rents are broadly in line with state averages, according to available market data. The estimated monthly cost to own versus rent shows a gap, with renting somewhat more affordable on a monthly basis under current mortgage rates. The broader unemployment rate at the time of this data was low nationally, and the local economy appears stable.
For a family considering Edward Neill, the picture is one of a neighborhood elementary school in a fully developed suburban community, with a diverse student body and a significant share of families relying on income-based meal assistance. Academic proficiency across tested subjects was below the county average, with particular softness in science and in fifth-grade math. The district has made structural changes in recent years, so families may want to confirm their attendance zone and understand how the virtual academy might serve as an alternative if it becomes relevant later. The school's strengths lie in its inclusive, regular public school setting within a stable community, but the academic numbers point to an environment where additional support is likely needed for many students to reach grade-level standards.
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