Best Elementary Schools in Appleton, MN

Appleton, Minnesota has only one elementary school serving the community - Appleton-Milan Elementary, which educates students from pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. As the sole elementary option in the area, Appleton-Milan Elementary plays a crucial role in shaping the educational experiences of local children.

Appleton-Milan Elementary is part of the Lac qui Parle Valley Schools district, which is ranked 293 out of 446 districts in Minnesota and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Minnesota elementary schools over the past 3 school years, indicating that it may be struggling to provide a high-quality education for its students. Academically, the school's performance on MCA-III math and reading assessments is below the state average across all grades, with only 38.1% of students proficient or better in math in 2024-2025, compared to the state average of 45.21%.

Despite the school's low rankings and academic performance, it does have a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 11.6, which could be a positive factor in terms of providing more individualized attention and support for students. However, this does not seem to be translating into stronger academic outcomes. Additionally, the school serves a predominantly low-income population, with 69.51% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in 2023-2024, which can present unique challenges in terms of resources and support.