- BERT RANEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 284 students
- Yellow Medicine East Secondary — Grades 6–12 · 321 students
| Metric | Yellow Medicine East | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Near average |
About Yellow Medicine East
Zip code 56245 in Hanley Falls, Minnesota is served by Yellow Medicine East for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Yellow Medicine East’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Yellow Medicine East runs approximately $14,000 annually, placing it near the Minnesota state average of approximately $14,000 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Yellow Medicine East is a small, community-focused district with 3 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 616 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Yellow Medicine East 2 out of 10 — low-rated among Minnesota public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Minnesota is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Yellow Medicine East holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Minnesota on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 56245
Children in zip code 56245 are assigned to Yellow Medicine East for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 56245, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Yellow Medicine East at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Minnesota districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Hanley Falls
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Yellow Medicine East serves zip code 56245, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 56245. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Minnesota, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Yellow Medicine East programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 56245.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Yellow Medicine East before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 56245 data.