The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in Science. The lowest is 35% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Truman Elementary
Truman Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the Truman Public School District, a small district in south-central Martin County. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and sits within the town of Truman itself, a few blocks from the compact civic core along Ciro Street. The district appears stable: a search for recent changes turned up little of lasting consequence to report.
The student body is small and predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and a smaller number of students who identify as two or more races. More than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that the school serves a population with substantial economic need. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not reported in the available data; a parent may wish to ask the school directly about how these populations are supported.
State testing results from the most recent school year show a mixed picture. In reading, proficiency rates varied across grades, with one grade level reaching above half proficient while others landed in a lower range. Math results followed a similar pattern, with one grade level scoring in the mid-range and others lower. In science, only one grade is tested, and that cohort’s proficiency rate fell in the same general vicinity as the lower-performing grades in reading and math. When compared across the set of Martin County districts, Truman Elementary’s overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile, meaning that among the small number of comparable districts, its composite performance sits relatively high, though the underlying grade-level figures are uneven and several are below half proficient.
The school has no high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism and discipline was not available in the source materials. Course access and staffing details were also absent, which limits a full picture of what enrichment or intervention programs are offered.
The town of Truman is a small, railroad-founded community with a slow population decline in recent years. Housing values in the area, measured by a broad index, sit well below the state benchmark and also below the national benchmark, making this a relatively affordable market for homebuyers compared with much of Minnesota. The town has a compact grid layout, with the school integrated into the neighborhood rather than set apart on a distant campus. Civic anchors include city hall, a municipal building used as a polling place, and a historical museum. No major private employers were identified in available sources beyond the school district and municipal government, and the surrounding economy is rooted in agriculture. Transit options are minimal; the nearest Greyhound stations are in nearby towns, and the closest Amtrak station is considerably farther.
For families considering Truman Elementary, the school offers a small, neighborhood-based setting in a town that is quiet and affordable. The academic picture is one of variability: the composite proficiency stands relatively well among its county peers, but individual grade-level scores in reading and math are often below the majority-proficient mark. A parent may want to explore with the school what academic support is available for students who are not yet meeting state standards. The school’s size and the district’s stability could appeal to families seeking a close-knit environment, while the limited out-of-school amenities and declining population in the town might give some families pause.
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