Armstrong Elementary

Summary:

Armstrong Elementary is a public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through 5th grade students in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, which is part of the South Washington County Schools district. The school has seen a shift in its student population, with a growing diversity of African American, Hispanic, and Asian students.

Academically, Armstrong Elementary has struggled compared to the district and state averages, with lower proficiency rates in Math and Reading on the MCA-III assessments. The school's overall performance has declined, dropping from a statewide ranking of 285 out of 870 Minnesota elementary schools in 2018-2019 to 451 out of 881 in 2023-2024. This decline is reflected in the school's 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. While Armstrong Elementary performs well for its Asian and Special Education students, it ranks in the bottom 50% for its White, Low Socioeconomic Status, and Male student populations.

When compared to other elementary schools in the South Washington County Schools district, Armstrong Elementary's academic performance is generally lower. For example, Cottage Grove Elementary and Grey Cloud Elementary had significantly higher proficiency rates in Math and Reading than Armstrong Elementary in the 2023-2024 school year. However, Armstrong Elementary's performance is still better than some nearby schools, such as Pine Hill Elementary and Pullman Elementary, which have even lower proficiency rates and statewide rankings.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 8855 Inwood Ave S
       Cottage Grove, MN  55016-3300


(651) 425-4101

District: South Washington County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
451st of 881 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,934 Help


Students who attend Armstrong Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Cottage Grove Middle School
High:    Park High School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.9 Help
Number of students:  322

Racial breakdown:

White:
57.5%
Asian:
11.8%
Hispanic:
11.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  40.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Armstrong Elementary ranks worse than 51.2% of elementary schools in Minnesota. It also ranks 12th among 16 ranked elementary schools in the South Washington County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.55. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (57.5%), Asian (11.8%), Hispanic (11.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 40.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Armstrong Elementary is 10.9, which is the 3rd best among 16 elementary schools in the South Washington County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Armstrong Elementary employs 29.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Armstrong Elementary is $15,934, which is the 2nd highest among 16 elementary schools in the South Washington County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Armstrong Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Armstrong Elementary 451st of 881 Minnesota public elementary schools. (See Armstrong Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


South Washington County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks South Washington County Schools 135th of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Armstrong Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Armstrong Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 40.31 492nd 674 27.0%
2004 36.73 514th 676 24.0%
2005 35.37 534th 685 22.0%
2006 60.69 328th 756 56.6%
2007 41.06 587th 777 24.5%
2008 44.49 551st 781 29.4%
2010 57.99 414th 803 48.4%
2011 64.57 319th 814 60.8%
2012 49.28 530th 820 35.4%
2013 64.92 320th 824 61.2%
2014 62.12 352nd 826 57.4%
2015 60.19 384th 840 54.3%
2016 63.32 344th 848 59.4%
2017 62.83 367th 853 57.0%
2018 68.61 270th 847 68.1%
2019 68.36 285th 870 67.2%
2021 44.51 568th 869 34.6%
2022 49.02 509th 858 40.7%
2023 45.42 526th 845 37.8%
2024 53.55 451st 881 48.8%
See the entire list of Minnesota Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Armstrong Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 76.80 72nd 515 86.0%
2021 31.73 319th 417 23.5%
2022 41.22 312th 500 37.6%
2023 44.61 293rd 524 44.1%
2024 42.34 340th 572 40.6%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Armstrong Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.70 171st 728 76.5%
2019 81.90 64th 740 91.4%
2021 44.47 406th 683 40.6%
2022 31.24 488th 663 26.4%
2023 33.53 553rd 774 28.6%
2024 45.13 464th 793 41.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Armstrong Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.09 401st 774 48.2%
2019 59.33 369th 787 53.1%
2021 39.57 541st 783 30.9%
2022 39.59 542nd 799 32.2%
2023 44.41 494th 787 37.2%
2024 56.36 376th 809 53.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Armstrong Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.65 152nd 779 80.5%
2019 72.87 192nd 798 75.9%
2021 45.89 500th 784 36.2%
2022 57.66 368th 808 54.5%
2023 44.70 495th 799 38.0%
2024 47.70 483rd 826 41.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Armstrong Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 48.43 71st 136 47.8%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for White students at Armstrong Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.76 230th 712 67.7%
2019 61.89 260th 722 64.0%
2021 38.15 495th 710 30.3%
2022 39.78 476th 725 34.3%
2023 30.18 557th 712 21.8%
2024 38.03 491st 730 32.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota Elementary Schools for White 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.

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






Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Armstrong Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 736 5 6 5 3 n/a n/a 0 755
1989 814 4 7 6 3 n/a n/a 0 834
1990 891 5 5 6 3 n/a n/a 0 910
1991 948 5 5 8 4 n/a n/a -113 857
1992 690 5 5 8 1 n/a n/a 0 709
1993 722 8 8 5 2 n/a n/a 0 745
1994 759 14 5 7 4 n/a n/a 0 789
1995 666 8 5 7 2 n/a n/a 0 688
1996 666 8 5 7 2 n/a n/a 0 688
1997 665 6 4 10 1 n/a n/a 0 686
1998 661 8 8 13 1 n/a n/a 0 691
1999 655 7 8 10 1 n/a n/a 0 681
2000 633 21 8 14 1 n/a n/a 0 677
2001 622 16 9 16 0 n/a n/a 0 663
2002 519 14 16 17 5 n/a n/a 0 571
2003 519 14 16 17 5 n/a n/a 0 571
2004 505 21 16 16 2 n/a n/a 0 560
2005 471 11 20 18 4 n/a n/a 0 524
2006 440 13 18 23 8 n/a n/a 0 502
2007 408 24 19 29 4 n/a n/a 0 484
2008 403 26 16 34 3 n/a n/a 0 482
2009 381 30 15 24 2 n/a n/a 0 452
2010 324 44 28 21 5 n/a n/a 0 422
2011 294 20 22 26 1 0 24 0 387
2012 291 22 15 26 1 0 31 0 386
2013 275 25 15 29 1 0 27 0 372
2014 257 33 20 21 0 0 35 0 366
2015 228 26 25 22 0 0 39 0 340
2016 210 26 30 23 2 0 32 0 323
2017 218 28 35 22 1 0 33 0 337
2018 203 35 32 30 0 0 37 0 337
2019 194 25 34 29 0 0 35 0 317
2020 206 29 28 30 0 0 36 0 329
2021 199 38 25 28 1 0 40 0 331
2022 202 30 24 29 0 0 34 0 319
2023 185 33 38 36 1 0 29 0 322

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 Armstrong Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 755 31.9 23.6 8.6
1989 834 42.8 19.4 7
1990 910 42.3 21.5 5.6
1991 857 44.5 19.2 6.7
1992 709 32.1 22.0 10.9
1993 745 34.0 21.9 7.8
1994 789 36.1 21.9 8.6
1995 688 33.9 20.3 11.2
1996 688 33.9 20.3 11.2
1997 686 32.5 21.1 7.3
1998 691 n/a 0.0 7.5
1999 681 35.9 19.0 7.8
2000 677 39.9 17.0 11.7
2001 663 39.5 16.8 10.6
2002 571 37.3 15.3 13.1
2003 571 37.3 15.3 13.1
2004 560 41.8 13.4 12.3
2005 524 33.7 15.5 13.2
2006 502 33.2 15.1 12.7
2007 484 29.5 16.4 18
2008 482 32.1 15.0 18.5
2009 452 32.7 13.8 17.9
2010 422 27.5 15.3 18
2011 387 30.6 12.6 22.7
2012 386 28.2 13.6 30.1
2013 372 29.4 12.6 29.6
2014 366 32.2 11.3 32.5
2015 340 32.0 10.6 37.6
2016 323 28.0 11.5 35.3
2017 337 29.6 11.3 35.3
2018 337 31.4 10.7 36.2
2019 317 29.4 10.7 37.5
2020 329 28.2 11.6 34.3
2021 331 32.2 10.2 26
2022 319 30.2 10.5 27.3
2023 322 29.5 10.9 40.7

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 Armstrong Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 755 31.9 23.6 8.6
1989 834 42.8 19.4 7
1990 910 42.3 21.5 5.6
1991 857 44.5 19.2 6.7
1992 709 32.1 22.0 10.9
1993 745 34.0 21.9 7.8
1994 789 36.1 21.9 8.6
1995 688 33.9 20.3 11.2
1996 688 33.9 20.3 11.2
1997 686 32.5 21.1 7.3
1998 691 n/a 0.0 7.5
1999 681 35.9 19.0 7.8
2000 677 39.9 17.0 11.7
2001 663 39.5 16.8 10.6
2002 571 37.3 15.3 13.1
2003 571 37.3 15.3 13.1
2004 560 41.8 13.4 12.3
2005 524 33.7 15.5 13.2
2006 502 33.2 15.1 12.7
2007 484 29.5 16.4 18
2008 482 32.1 15.0 18.5
2009 452 32.7 13.8 17.9
2010 422 27.5 15.3 18
2011 387 30.6 12.6 22.7
2012 386 28.2 13.6 30.1
2013 372 29.4 12.6 29.6
2014 366 32.2 11.3 32.5
2015 340 32.0 10.6 37.6
2016 323 28.0 11.5 35.3
2017 337 29.6 11.3 35.3
2018 337 31.4 10.7 36.2
2019 317 29.4 10.7 37.5
2020 329 28.2 11.6 34.3
2021 331 32.2 10.2 26
2022 319 30.2 10.5 27.3
2023 322 29.5 10.9 40.7

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 Armstrong Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $15,934

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Armstrong 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 285th of 870 Elementary schoolsRanks 526th of 845 Elementary schools
 29.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Armstrong Elementary)63.360
 3.3%
   3rd Grade Math (South Washington County Schools)73.764.8
 9%
   3rd Grade Math (Minnesota)65.659.1
 6.5%
3rd Grade Reading (Armstrong Elementary)4931.1
 17.9%
   3rd Grade Reading (South Washington County Schools)62.750.6
 12.1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Minnesota)54.647.4
 7.2%
4th Grade Math (Armstrong Elementary)78.454
 24.4%
   4th Grade Math (South Washington County Schools)74.166.2
 7.9%
   4th Grade Math (Minnesota)63.957.1
 6.8%
4th Grade Reading (Armstrong Elementary)64.738
 26.7%
   4th Grade Reading (South Washington County Schools)66.551.2
 15.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Minnesota)55.448.4
 7.1%
5th Grade Math (Armstrong Elementary)53.733.9
 19.8%
   5th Grade Math (South Washington County Schools)59.754.6
 5.2%
   5th Grade Math (Minnesota)5244.4
 7.6%
5th Grade Reading (Armstrong Elementary)77.855.2
 22.6%
   5th Grade Reading (South Washington County Schools)74.466.3
 8.2%
   5th Grade Reading (Minnesota)65.858.7
 7%
5th Grade Science (Armstrong Elementary)72.749.2
 23.6%
   5th Grade Science (South Washington County Schools)63.953.3
 10.6%
   5th Grade Science (Minnesota)54.948.4
 6.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students317322
 1.6%
African American2533
 32%
American Indian01
Asian3438
 11.8%
Hispanic2936
 24.1%
Pacific Islander00
White194185
 4.6%
Two or More Races3529
 17.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients37.5%40.7%
 3.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Armstrong Elementary

Armstrong Elementary ranks 451st of 881 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Armstrong Elementary are 57% White, 12% Asian, 11% Hispanic, 10% African American, 9% Two or more races.

Students who attend Armstrong Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Cottage Grove Middle School
High : Park High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 322 students attended Armstrong Elementary.


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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.





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