The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Math. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Franklin Elementary
Franklin Elementary is a regular public school in Mankato that serves children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Mankato Public School District and sits on the north side of the city. The school enrolls a mid-sized elementary population, with a student body that is roughly half white and otherwise a mix of Black students, Hispanic students, students of two or more races, and smaller shares of Asian, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a higher-poverty context relative to many elementary schools in the region. Data on the share of students with individualized education plans or English learner classifications was not reported, so a family wanting to understand those dimensions would need to follow up directly with the school.
Academically, Franklin shows a pattern that bears careful attention. In the most recent state assessments, third-grade math proficiency was very high and third-grade reading was strong, suggesting that foundational skills in the early primary years are solid. By fourth grade, both math and reading proficiency declined to a more moderate level, and by fifth grade they slipped further. Science proficiency in fifth grade was low, though it is worth noting that the science assessment was new that year, which can complicate interpretation. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile relative to the other school districts in Blue Earth County, so Franklin is performing well compared with nearby schools. Still, the downward trend from third to fifth grade is a pattern a parent may want to explore with the school: it could reflect curriculum changes, cohort differences, or simply the rising difficulty of content. Because only one year of data is available, there is no multi-year trend to say whether this is a lasting shift or a single snapshot.
No information was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or course access, so families interested in those aspects of school environment will need to seek them out. The school does not serve high school grades, so it has no graduation rate to report.
Franklin sits in Mankato, a mid-sized regional hub about 75 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. The city is home to Minnesota State University, Mankato, the state’s second-largest university by enrollment, along with Bethany Lutheran College and South Central College, giving it a clear college-town texture. The economy blends education, healthcare, agriculture (soybean processing, farm equipment), retail, and manufacturing. The largest employer in the area is the school district itself, followed by the Mayo Clinic health system and the university. The city is growing modestly and has a downtown core with civic institutions such as the county library and courthouse, a regional event center, and parks and trails along the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers. The housing market is more affordable than the state and national benchmarks, and rents have been rising at a noticeable clip, though buying a home still costs less than in much of Minnesota.
The district itself reported no major recent changes such as referendums, curriculum overhauls, or boundary adjustments in the period reviewed, so a family moving into the area should not expect significant near-term disruption to the district’s operations.
Who fits at Franklin? A family looking for a neighborhood elementary with strong early-grade academic results and a diverse student body in a mid-sized college town will find this school attractive. The high proficiency in third grade suggests that children who start there get a solid foundation. The later-grade declines and the limited science performance are worth a conversation with the principal or a visit to see how the school supports students as they move into upper elementary. Families for whom the share of students in poverty is a consideration will see that reflected here. The absence of data on special education and English learner services means those households should ask specific questions about staffing and programs. For parents who value a school that outperforms its county peers on state tests, Franklin delivers.
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