The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in Math. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cambridge-isanti Steam School
Cambridge-Isanti STEAM School is a small elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the city of Isanti, part of the Cambridge-Isanti Public School District. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it operates without a Title I designation in the available records. The school’s name signals an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, though specific program details were not provided in the data and a parent seeking a clear picture of the curriculum may want to inquire directly.
The student body is predominantly white, with very small shares of students who are Asian, Hispanic, Black, American Indian, or of two or more races. A substantial portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a degree of economic diversity. Enrollment is small for a public elementary school, with roughly the same number of students in each grade from kindergarten through fifth grade. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so the extent of those supports is not clear from the data available.
Academically, the school’s performance on state assessments presents a mixed picture. In math, proficiency rates varied by grade. In the lower tested grades, a majority or near-majority of students met state standards, but in the highest grade tested, proficiency was notably lower, with only a minority of students scoring proficient. In English language arts, proficiency rates were somewhat below half in most grades, with a similar pattern of stronger performance in one middle grade and weaker results in others. Science results, which are tested only in the final grade, were low. Because only one year of data was available, there is no information on whether these results represent a trend, an improvement, or a decline. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index placed it above the midpoint among districts in Isanti County. That comparison set is small, including four other districts, so the position is a relative strength within a limited local context.
The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate applies. No data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing was available, leaving gaps in the full picture of school climate.
Isanti is a growing city with a family-oriented character. Historically a railroad town, it has seen steady residential growth, and the population has increased in recent years. Minnesota State Highway 65 runs through the city, serving as the main commercial corridor, while a traditional Main Street area provides a downtown core. The Rum River runs along the western edge. The city’s median household income is near the national median, and a meaningful share of residents are under eighteen, signaling a community that draws families. Housing costs in the area are roughly consistent with the state average, and the local market has seen appreciation, making homeownership a substantial commitment but not out of reach compared to more expensive metro areas. The district itself reported no recent major changes in the available search results, suggesting a period of stability.
For a family considering this school, the peer environment is small and predominantly white, with some income diversity. The academic pathway is anchored in an elementary STEAM identity, though performance on state tests is uneven, with stronger math results in the early grades and weaker reading and science results. Parents who prioritize a small school setting in a growing, small-town community may find the school a reasonable match, though they would want to ask the school directly about the STEAM curriculum and how it supports students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks. The available data does not show whether the school offers enrichment, intervention programs, or specialist teachers in science or the arts, so those are questions worth raising before enrolling.
See more original research from School Decision →