The top reported proficiency rate is 91% in Math. The lowest is 80% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Shirley Hills Primary School
Shirley Hills Primary School serves students from kindergarten through fourth grade in Mound, a lake town on the western shore of Lake Minnetonka, about twenty miles west of Minneapolis. The school is part of the Westonka Public School District and functions as a regular public school for the early elementary grades.
Academically, the school shows strong results on the state assessments that are administered in grades three and four. Math proficiency rates are very high, with the vast majority of students meeting standards in both tested grades. English language arts proficiency is also strong, particularly in third grade, though fourth-grade reading results come in at a lower level than the school’s math outcomes. A parent looking at the overall proficiency across both subjects would see that Shirley Hills sits in the top quarter of schools relative to other districts in Hennepin County. Because the school only goes through fourth grade, there is no high school graduation rate, no chronic absenteeism data, and no college-readiness or career-program metrics to report. The data shows just one year of test results, so trends over time are not available.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a noticeable Hispanic population and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which suggests some economic diversity within the building. The data does not include counts or rates for students with disabilities or English learners, so a family wanting to know about special education services or language support would need to ask the school directly.
Shirley Hills is a primary school with roughly several hundred students, spread fairly evenly across kindergarten through fourth grade. The setting is the community of Mound, a primarily residential lake town defined by its many lakes, parks, and public docks. The city has a modest commercial center but is not a dense walkable grid; neighborhoods are spread across peninsulas and lake shores. The Dakota Rail Regional Trail runs through town and provides a major biking and walking corridor. Historically, Mound was home to Tonka Toys, but that employer is long gone, and current major employers are not clearly documented in available sources. The population has been relatively stable, with a slight decline from the 2020 census.
The housing market in Mound’s zip code is expensive, with home values well above national medians and rents that command a substantial share of income. The price-to-income ratio is elevated, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment is noticeably higher than the typical rent, making homeownership a significant investment for most families. This context matters for a family considering the area: the school serves a community where housing costs are a clear factor.
The Westonka district has made several recent changes that affect Shirley Hills. A bond referendum passed recently with strong voter approval, funding roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, security enhancements, and classroom improvements across district buildings. The property tax levy increased as a result of the new bond debt service. A new K-4 math curriculum was adopted and implemented, emphasizing hands-on learning and problem-solving. A new STEM program launched at the middle school and has expanded. The district also adopted a permanent cell phone policy limiting use during instructional time, and preliminary feedback suggests improved student engagement.
For a family evaluating Shirley Hills Primary School, the picture is that of a high-performing early elementary school in a desirable lake community with expensive housing. The academic foundation in math is particularly strong. The dip in fourth-grade ELA is something a parent may want to explore further with the school. The district is investing in facilities and curriculum, and the cell phone policy reflects an intentional approach to classroom focus. The peer environment is relatively homogeneous racially, with modest economic diversity. Families who value a small-town lakeside setting and a school with strong early test results will find this a good fit, though those seeking a more racially or economically diverse student body or a wider range of programs—such as before- and after-care or specialized services—should verify those offerings directly, as the available data does not address them.
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