Universal Academy Elementary

Summary:

Universal Academy Elementary is a public charter elementary school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving 404 students from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade. The school has a predominantly African American student population, with 97.28% of students identifying as African American in the 2022-2023 school year.

Despite the school's focus on serving its unique student population, Universal Academy Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Minnesota elementary schools, with significantly below-average performance on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA-III) in math, reading, and science. In 2023-2024, only 36.07% of students were proficient or better in math, compared to the state average of 45.47%, and the school's reading proficiency rates, ranging from 30.3% to 48.35%, also fall below the state averages of 46.39% to 59.35%. The school's performance is particularly low in math, with proficiency rates ranging from 12.12% to 36.07% across all grades over the past 4 years, compared to the state averages of 37.23% to 59.1%.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Seward Elementary and Sullivan Elementary, which are part of the Minneapolis Public School District, Universal Academy Elementary's performance is significantly lower. The nearby charter schools, such as Aurora Charter School and Skyline Math and Science Academy, also outperform Universal Academy Elementary in both math and reading proficiency. However, the school's African American students and English Language Learner students perform relatively well compared to their peers at other Minnesota elementary schools, suggesting that the school may be addressing the unique needs of these subgroups, but still struggling to improve overall academic outcomes.


Detail:

Public, Charter PK, KG-6

 2912 28th Ave.
       Minneapolis, MN  55406-8888


(651) 340-5994

District: Universal Academy Charter School

SchoolDigger Rank:
555th of 881 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,398 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  16.2 Help
Number of students:  404

Racial breakdown:

African American:
97.3%
Hispanic:
1.0%
Two or more races:
1.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.3% Help


 See top rated Minnesota elementary schools

 Compare Universal Academy Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Universal Academy Elementary ranks worse than 63% of elementary schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 43.58. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details Universal Academy Elementary is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2022 the calculated Average Standard Score was 38.59. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (97.3%), Hispanic (1%), two or more races (1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 99.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Universal Academy Elementary is 16.2. (See more...)
Help
Compare Universal Academy Elementary employs 24.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Universal Academy Elementary is $12,398.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Universal Academy Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Universal Academy Elementary 555th of 881 Minnesota public elementary schools. (See Universal Academy Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


Universal Academy Charter School:

SchoolDigger ranks Universal Academy Charter School 240th of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Universal Academy Elementary?

Rank History for Universal Academy Elementary

Help
Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2015 3.18 809th 840 3.7%
2016 25.89 692nd 848 18.4%
2017 23.89 701st 853 17.8%
2018 39.98 595th 847 29.8%
2019 18.50 737th 870 15.3%
2021 11.86 754th 869 13.2%
2022 23.18 682nd 858 20.5%
2023 19.14 695th 845 17.8%
2024 43.58 555th 881 37.0%
See the entire list of Minnesota Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.46 7th 242 97.1%
2019 78.98 17th 239 92.9%
2021 58.02 47th 175 73.1%
2022 71.89 36th 256 85.9%
2023 50.77 116th 276 58.0%
2024 69.35 55th 303 81.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.13 256th 728 64.8%
2019 37.80 513th 740 30.7%
2021 26.06 544th 683 20.4%
2022 45.01 377th 663 43.1%
2023 35.59 537th 774 30.6%
2024 73.51 148th 793 81.3%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.23 569th 774 26.5%
2019 13.26 708th 787 10.0%
2021 9.51 708th 783 9.6%
2022 17.19 671st 799 16.0%
2023 15.37 678th 787 13.9%
2024 40.26 535th 809 33.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.54 545th 779 30.0%
2019 28.23 629th 798 21.2%
2021 16.08 669th 784 14.7%
2022 33.84 602nd 808 25.5%
2023 24.46 639th 799 20.0%
2024 44.06 512th 826 38.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.46 51st 266 80.8%
2019 55.15 124th 283 56.2%
2021 38.81 142nd 227 37.4%
2022 57.99 100th 282 64.5%
2023 49.05 132nd 279 52.7%
2024 78.53 45th 310 85.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Universal Academy Elementary

Help
Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 34.64 368th 523 29.6%
2018 28.39 396th 518 23.6%
2019 6.67 497th 533 6.8%
2021 14.56 456th 521 12.5%
2022 38.59 330th 520 36.5%
See the entire list of Minnesota Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school English Language Learner students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.67 3rd 109 97.2%
2019 65.51 18th 120 85.0%
2021 60.43 22nd 102 78.4%
2022 87.79 4th 130 96.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.63 226th 401 43.6%
2019 14.18 375th 415 9.6%
2021 32.59 289th 399 27.6%
2022 63.63 114th 404 71.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.20 341st 436 21.8%
2019 4.64 425th 439 3.2%
2021 13.55 399th 443 9.9%
2022 34.21 330th 467 29.3%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 7.21 426th 454 6.2%
2021 10.05 406th 437 7.1%
2022 39.39 299th 476 37.2%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Universal Academy Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.32 52nd 137 62.0%
2019 25.31 115th 148 22.3%
2021 38.13 95th 141 32.6%
2022 68.70 33rd 162 79.6%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Universal Academy Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Universal Academy Elementary.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Universal Academy Elementary, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Universal Academy Elementary

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2015 0 167 0 0 0 0 0 0 167
2016 0 256 0 0 0 0 0 0 256
2017 0 287 6 0 0 0 0 0 293
2018 0 324 5 0 0 0 1 0 330
2019 0 392 5 0 0 0 6 0 403
2020 0 400 6 0 0 0 3 0 409
2021 0 419 4 0 0 1 3 0 427
2022 1 430 3 0 0 0 4 0 438
2023 1 393 2 4 0 0 4 0 404

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Universal Academy Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2015 167 9.0 18.5 99.4
2016 256 9.0 28.4 100
2017 293 11.0 26.6 99
2018 330 19.0 17.3 99.7
2019 403 19.0 21.2 86.1
2020 409 8.8 46.1 97.6
2021 427 15.9 26.8 78.9
2022 438 25.6 17.0 97.5
2023 404 24.7 16.2 99.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Universal Academy Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2015 167 9.0 18.5 99.4
2016 256 9.0 28.4 100
2017 293 11.0 26.6 99
2018 330 19.0 17.3 99.7
2019 403 19.0 21.2 86.1
2020 409 8.8 46.1 97.6
2021 427 15.9 26.8 78.9
2022 438 25.6 17.0 97.5
2023 404 24.7 16.2 99.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Universal Academy Elementary

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,398

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Universal Academy Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 737th of 870 Elementary schoolsRanks 695th of 845 Elementary schools
 2.5%
Ranks 497th of 533 Middle schoolsRanks 330th of 520 Middle schools
 29.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Universal Academy Elementary)2531.5
 6.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Universal Academy Charter School)2531.5
 6.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Minnesota)65.659.1
 6.5%
3rd Grade Reading (Universal Academy Elementary)33.322.2
 11.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Universal Academy Charter School)33.322.2
 11.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Minnesota)54.647.4
 7.2%
4th Grade Math (Universal Academy Elementary)48.727.7
 21.1%
   4th Grade Math (Universal Academy Charter School)48.727.7
 21.1%
   4th Grade Math (Minnesota)63.957.1
 6.8%
4th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Elementary)34.234
 0.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Charter School)34.234
 0.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Minnesota)55.448.4
 7.1%
5th Grade Math (Universal Academy Elementary)43.28.5
 34.7%
   5th Grade Math (Universal Academy Charter School)43.28.5
 34.7%
   5th Grade Math (Minnesota)5244.4
 7.6%
5th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Elementary)48.635.4
 13.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Charter School)48.635.4
 13.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Minnesota)65.858.7
 7%
5th Grade Science (Universal Academy Elementary)37.84.2
 33.7%
   5th Grade Science (Universal Academy Charter School)37.84.2
 33.7%
   5th Grade Science (Minnesota)54.948.4
 6.5%
6th Grade Math (Universal Academy Elementary)15.427.7
 12.3%
   6th Grade Math (Universal Academy Charter School)15.427.7
 12.3%
   6th Grade Math (Minnesota)50.539.7
 10.8%
6th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Elementary)34.848.9
 14.2%
   6th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Charter School)34.848.9
 14.2%
   6th Grade Reading (Minnesota)62.853.4
 9.4%
7th Grade Math (Universal Academy Elementary)16.133.3
 17.2%
   7th Grade Math (Universal Academy Charter School)16.133.3
 17.2%
   7th Grade Math (Minnesota)52.137.6
 14.5%
7th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Elementary)33.348.5
 15.2%
   7th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Charter School)33.348.5
 15.2%
   7th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.545.5
 12%
8th Grade Math (Universal Academy Elementary)11.529.6
 18.1%
   8th Grade Math (Universal Academy Charter School)11.529.6
 18.1%
   8th Grade Math (Minnesota)55.240.1
 15.1%
8th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Elementary)2832.1
 4.1%
   8th Grade Reading (Universal Academy Charter School)2832.1
 4.1%
   8th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.746.4
 11.3%
8th Grade Science (Universal Academy Elementary)03.7
 3.7%
   8th Grade Science (Universal Academy Charter School)03.7
 3.7%
   8th Grade Science (Minnesota)4329.2
 13.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students403404
 0.2%
African American392393
 0.3%
American Indian00
Asian52
 60%
Hispanic04
Pacific Islander00
White01
Two or More Races64
 33.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients86.1%99.3%
 13.2%


Schools Near Universal Academy Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Universal Academy Elementary

Universal Academy Elementary ranks 555th of 881 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Universal Academy Elementary are 97% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 404 students attended Universal Academy Elementary.


Rate Universal Academy Elementary!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Universal Academy Elementary!




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 544 milliseconds.