How strong are the charter elementary-middle schools in Saint Paul?
With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.
Higher Ground Academy's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Saint Paul, rising from a C- to a C, according to data from Niche.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 1381 Marshall Ave., enrolls 590 students. Niche graded the school a C+ for academics (on an A-D scale).
The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.
Academically, 50% of Higher Ground Academy's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 54% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 38% in math and 37% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 98% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, 19% more than the city average.
It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Community of Peace Academy Elementary School saw its overall rating go from a C- to a C. The school is located at 471 Magnolia Ave. East and currently serves 522 students, of whom 45% identify as Asian, 22% identify as Hispanic and 20% identify as black.
Niche graded Community of Peace Academy Elementary School a C- for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 33%, and reading proficiency was 36%. It also serves a less-affluent population, with 85% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Achieve Language Academy also improved, from C to C+. The school is located at 2169 Stillwater Ave. and has 457 students currently enrolled, of whom 37% identify as Asian, 35% identify as Hispanic and 12% identify as black.
Niche graded Achieve Language Academy a C for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 38%, and reading proficiency was 46%. The school also serves a less-affluent community, with 82% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
While some charter elementary-middle schools in Saint Paul are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including Twin Cities German Immersion School, with an overall rating of A.
Want more of the latest intel on Saint Paul schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's charter high schools.
This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.
