The top reported proficiency rate is 98% in English language arts. The lowest is 91% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Gate 4/5
GATE 4/5 serves a narrow grade band, only fourth and fifth grade, within Stillwater Area Public Schools. The school enrolls just over sixty students, which makes it a small, contained setting for the two years a child spends there. The student body is predominantly White, with a smaller Asian cohort and very small numbers of Hispanic and multiracial students. A very small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school is not a Title I school. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
Academically, the school posts exceptionally strong results on Minnesota’s state assessments. In both fourth and fifth grade math, and in fourth and fifth grade reading, the share of students scoring proficient is at or near the top of the range. Fifth grade science results are also very high. When compared across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency sits in the top quarter of all schools in Washington County. Because the school serves only two grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the data does not include a chronic absenteeism rate either. The school has no charter, magnet, or special-program designation in the available records.
The setting is Stillwater, a city along the St. Croix River with a historic downtown that draws tourism. The economy mixes tourism, manufacturing that includes plastic molds, automotive parts, windows, and medical supplies, and two state prisons that are major employers. The downtown area features historic buildings and a riverfront, and the former Stillwater Lift Bridge is now part of a trail loop connecting to Wisconsin. Nearby parks include William O’Brien and Willow River state parks. Local growth has occurred through annexation of land from Stillwater Township, with the city expanding westward. Housing values in the area are above the state median, and rents are correspondingly high; the area is not inexpensive. The district itself, Stillwater Area Public Schools, showed no recent major changes in publicly reported materials.
For a family, GATE 4/5 is a straightforward option. It is a small, intermediate-level school with an academic record that is among the strongest in the county. The peer group is homogeneous in terms of socioeconomic background. The school’s name and limited grade span may suggest a selective or gifted program, but the available data does not confirm any special admissions criteria; a parent should verify directly with the district whether the school is open to all students in the attendance zone or whether there is an application process. The lack of information on special education and English learner services is also worth a direct inquiry. For a student who fits this setting, the school delivers very high proficiency rates across the board.
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