The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Math. The lowest is 32% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Kimball Elementary
Kimball Elementary is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade, located within the small town of Kimball in rural Stearns County, part of the St. Cloud metropolitan area. The school sits on Hazel Avenue East, integrated into the community rather than isolated on a separate campus, alongside the town’s downtown core along Main Street where the city hall and public library are found. The town itself retains a traditional small-town atmosphere, with a compact grid, a multi-use park with nature trails and a trout stream, and a handful of state highways as the primary transportation routes. Recent civic investments include a new public library building opened in 2020.
The student body is predominantly white, with the next largest group being Hispanic, and very small shares of Black and multiracial students. Just over one in three students qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a measure of economic need that is common in many Minnesota elementary schools. Data on students receiving special education services or English learner support was not available; a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
State assessment results, from Minnesota’s MCA tests administered last school year, show a pattern that varies significantly by grade and subject. In math, fourth graders posted a strong proficiency rate, while fifth graders were at about the midpoint and third graders were substantially lower. In reading, the pattern was even more pronounced: fifth graders performed at a high level, while both third and fourth graders had considerably lower rates. Science results for fifth graders came in on the weaker side. Overall, when averaging across all tested grades and subjects, the school’s proficiency index places it in the top quarter relative to other districts in Stearns County. That is a bright spot, but the wide swings between grades suggest that performance is uneven and may depend heavily on the cohort and specific instruction at each grade level. Only one year of data is available, so no trend can be assessed yet.
Because this is an elementary school, no graduation rate is reported, and data on chronic absenteeism was not found. The district that operates Kimball Elementary, the Kimball Public School District, has undertaken notable capital investments in recent years, including refurbishing high school science rooms and making improvements to elementary education buildings. Those facility upgrades may directly affect the daily learning environment at this school.
Housing in the area is moderately priced. Home values in the Kimball zip code sit close to both the state and national averages, and rents are lower than a typical mortgage payment for a home purchase, making renting a more affordable option for families. The community is experiencing slow, steady population growth, but no major new housing developments were noted in available sources.
For a family considering Kimball Elementary, the picture is of a small-town public school where academic performance is strongest at certain grades—especially fourth-grade math and fifth-grade reading—but weaker in the early tested years and in science. The school’s overall standing among Stearns County districts is solid, but the variability invites a closer look at how instruction and support differ by grade. The student body is economically mixed and not highly diverse. The school and the town are tightly connected, with civic facilities within walking distance and a calm, low-key environment. Families who value a close-knit community and are willing to engage with the school about its grade-level performance differences may find this a good fit. Those concerned about the weaker early-grade outcomes may want to ask the school about interventions and curriculum approaches. The district’s recent building investments suggest a commitment to improving facilities, which could be a positive sign for the years ahead.
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