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Pearson Elementary

Q: Is Pearson Elementary a good school?

Pearson Elementary ranks 515 th of 869 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

515^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 869 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Better than 41% of Minnesota elementary schools

Summary

Pearson Elementary is a PK–5 school serving 177 students in the small community of Wheaton, MN, part of the Wheaton Area Public School District. It currently ranks 515th of 869 Minnesota elementary schools (41st percentile, 2 stars), below the state median. That is a drop from 2024–2025, when the school reached the 64th percentile (3 stars), and well below its high point in 2015–2016, when it ranked in the 91st percentile with 5 stars. Over the past decade the school has generally bounced around the state average rather than declining steadily.

Math is Pearson's relative strength: 49.5% of students were proficient in 2025–2026, above the state (44.9%) and well above the district (36.4%). Reading was 46.2%, slightly below the state (48.6%) but above the district (40.9%). Science, however, is a serious and worsening weakness — just 3.4% proficient versus 25.5% statewide. Results also split sharply by grade: 3rd grade is above state in both math and reading, while 4th and 5th grades are below state in both. The 5th grade is struggling in every subject, including science; because science is only tested in 5th grade, that very low score reflects a single cohort.

Compared with nearby schools, Herman-Norcross Elementary (56 students) posted higher math but lower reading in 2025–2026, while Big Stone Colony Elementary (19 students) recorded very high math and reading scores that should be viewed cautiously given its tiny enrollment and suppressed grade-level data. Pearson's free/reduced-lunch rate is 44.07%, similar to Herman-Norcross and far below Big Stone's 84.21%, so poverty levels alone do not explain the differences between these schools. Pearson's most recent reported student–teacher ratio is 10.2 (2023–2024). Bottom line: Pearson is a relative bright spot in math and reading within its district, but science and the upper elementary grades need attention.

177

Students ?

10.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,628

Per pupil spending ?

44.1%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Minnesota receive free school meals.

710 4th Ave N
Wheaton, MN 56296-1604

(320) 563-8282

District: Wheaton Area Public School District

Students who attend Pearson Elementary usually attend:

High:

Wheaton Secondary

Racial breakdown:

White:

78.0%

Hispanic:

16.9%

Two or more races:

2.8%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 91st percentile in 2016 → 41st in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 50 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Science scores 22 pts below the Minnesota average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg34%

Minnesota avg43%

515^th of 869

Minnesota public elementary schools ?

Bottom 41%▼ down 50 pts since 2016

From top 9% (2016) to bottom 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Minnesota Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

316^th of 458Wheaton Area Public School District among Minnesota districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	44.6	515 of 869	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	65.7	317 of 872	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.3	525 of 881	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.2	454 of 845	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.1	490 of 858	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	70.3	250 of 869	71.2%	★★★★☆
2019	62.6	367 of 870	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	71.7	231 of 847	72.7%	★★★★☆
2017	69.1	280 of 853	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	83.2	76 of 848	91.0%	★★★★★
2015	77.6	146 of 840	82.6%	★★★★☆
2014	72.9	207 of 826	74.9%	★★★★☆
2013	76.9	151 of 824	81.7%	★★★★☆
2012	70.7	216 of 820	73.7%	★★★★☆
2011	60.8	378 of 814	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	77.6	101 of 803	87.4%	★★★★☆
2008	88.7	12 of 781	98.5%	★★★★★
2007	82.7	56 of 777	92.8%	★★★★★
2006	61.6	314 of 756	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2005	51.3	414 of 685	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2004	55.3	354 of 676	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2003	49.8	421 of 674	37.5%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	41.1	502 of 790	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	63.9	296 of 799	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.0	478 of 809	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.4	448 of 787	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.7	358 of 799	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	75.6	156 of 783	80.1%	★★★★☆
2019	63.0	326 of 787	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.2	331 of 774	57.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	60.0	281 of 764	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.0	441 of 793	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.6	357 of 774	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	26.2	526 of 663	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	71.8	155 of 740	79.1%	★★★★☆
2018	82.0	59 of 728	91.9%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	45.2	474 of 807	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	61.4	331 of 812	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.6	464 of 826	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	37.8	573 of 808	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	54.6	397 of 784	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	60.6	367 of 798	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	78.6	125 of 779	84.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	25.4	586 of 710	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	50.5	373 of 714	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.0	575 of 730	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	32.3	542 of 712	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.1	581 of 725	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	61.6	240 of 710	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	41.8	478 of 722	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	57.6	301 of 712	57.7%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)63rd percentile+22 vs school

Male (2026)41st percentile~ school

Female (2026)36th percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)17th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs Minnesota (2025-2026) ?

Math49%+5 vs state

Reading46%~ state avg

Science3%-22 vs state

★

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Schools Near Pearson Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCA-IV Reading (2026)						MCA-IV Science (2026)		MCA-III Math (2026)						Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCA-IV Reading 3rd Grade	MCA-IV Reading 4th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 5th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 6th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 7th Grade	MCA-IV Reading All Grades	MCA-IV Science 5th Grade	MCA-IV Science All Grades	MCA-III Math 3rd Grade	MCA-III Math 4th Grade	MCA-III Math 5th Grade	MCA-III Math 6th Grade	MCA-III Math 7th Grade	MCA-III Math All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Total
Pearson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	710 4th Ave N	Wheaton	56296	Traverse County	Wheaton Area Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(320) 563-8282	177	17	10.2	44.1%	138 (78.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (16.9%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.8%)	44.6	515^th of 869 public elementary schools	40.7%		65.7	317^th of 872 public elementary schools	63.6%	198	48.4	45.5	44.8			46.2	3.4	3.4	64.5	45.5	37.9			49.5			$13,628
Herman-Norcross Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	504 Lois Ave N	Herman	56248	Grant County	Herman-Norcross Community School	No	No	No	Yes	(320) 677-2291	56	9	5.9	41.1%	48 (85.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.6%)								(n/a)						33.3								61.9			$17,973
Big Stone Colony Elementary	Public	K-8	26051 Big Stone Colony Rd	Graceville	56225	Big Stone County	Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley	No	No	No	Yes	(320) 325-5282	19	2	9.6	84.2%	19 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)						90.9								72.7

Frequently Asked Questions about Pearson Elementary

Is Pearson Elementary a good school?

Pearson Elementary ranks 515^th of 869 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Pearson Elementary in?

Wheaton Area Public School District

What is the racial makeup of Pearson Elementary?

Students at Pearson Elementary are 78% White, 17% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% American Indian.

How many students attend Pearson Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 177 students attended Pearson Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Pearson Elementary attend?

Students who attend Pearson Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Wheaton Secondary

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Schools in Wheaton, MN

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Latest Minnesota data All new data »

2019–20 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 MCA-III & MCA-IV test scoresSep 30, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCA-III test scoresAug 29, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.