The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Math. The lowest is 37% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Countryside Elementary
Countryside Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Edina, a first-ring Minneapolis suburb of substantial size. The school enrolls a large elementary student body for its grade band. The student population is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and multiracial students. Just over a tenth of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the community's high-income profile. Specific counts for students receiving special education services or English learner support were not available in the data, so a family with a child who has an Individualized Education Program or is learning English may want to confirm supports directly with the school.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year show a mixed picture that varies by subject and grade. In math, proficiency was strong across the lower elementary grades but dropped meaningfully by fifth grade. Reading performance followed a different pattern: proficiency was solid across all tested grades, with the fifth-grade cohort performing at a notably high level. Science is tested only in fifth grade, and the result there fell below the other subjects, landing at a level that could raise a question for a parent considering the school's science preparation. The overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades placed Countryside in the top quartile among elementary schools in Hennepin County, meaning its composite performance sits comfortably among the strongest in a very large and diverse county. Only one year of state test data was available for this school, so there is no trend to examine; it is a single snapshot.
No data was available on chronic absenteeism for this school, so that measure cannot be assessed. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Information on course access, staffing ratios, and disciplinary rates was also absent, and a parent seeking that kind of detail should contact the school or the district.
The residential real estate context matters a great deal in this area. Edina is a high-cost housing market. Home values in the school's ZIP code are well above both the state and national medians, and rents are elevated accordingly. The monthly mortgage cost for a typical home would substantially exceed the typical rent, making homeownership in this attendance zone a decisive financial commitment. Edina saw modest population growth between the 2020 census and a recent estimate. The city is nearly built out, so the housing stock is established, with households projected to grow slowly. The community is car-dependent, with most residents driving alone to work, though Metro Transit bus service covers parts of the city. Civic anchors include Centennial Lakes Park and Braemar Golf Course.
The parent district, Edina Public Schools, has made several recent changes that affect all its elementary schools. Starting in the 2024-25 school year, the elementary day was extended by roughly a half-hour, with start times moving to early morning. That is a structural change families must work into their daily routines. The district also approved a significant budget reduction for the same year, driven by the end of federal pandemic relief funds and a years-long enrollment decline. Staffing cuts have occurred across multiple schools and departments, which could influence class sizes and program breadth. Property taxes supporting the district rose modestly as well. On the program side, the district now offers a full-time online option for high school students.
For a family, Countryside Elementary offers a large, well-performing school in a community with high housing costs and a tight housing market. Academic proficiency is strong overall, especially in reading and in early-grade math, though fifth-grade math and science results are softer spots a parent may want to discuss with the school. The district is under budget pressure and is managing enrollment decline, which may mean fewer resources over time. The extended school day is a fixed part of the schedule families must accept.
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