Waite Park Elementary School

1800 34th Avenue Northeast

School District

Minneapolis Public School Dist.
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Minneapolis Public School Dist.

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 01, 2024

Waite Park is a wonderful and inclusive community school. Many teachers have been here 10+ years and their care for students is clearly evident. I love that each grade has about 50 kids. You really get to know the other families and it has a strong sense of community. I would recommend it to anyone.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2023

We have been extremely pleased with our experiences at Waite Park. We find the teachers to be very engaged and open to questions from parents. Our children have loved going here and love the friends they've made. The building has recently received many updates including a new safe/secure entrance, new kitchen/cafeteria and updates to the auditorium and media center. Some of our highlights over the years are the many PTA sponsored events, field trips, after school activities, Pedal Power bike club, and music performances. We are looking forward to band for our 5th grader this year. The school offers tours for those considering it.
Submitted by other on June 16, 2022

i went there 6 years ago, overall not great im still in therapy because of this place
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2019

Parents will have different opinions about their children’s school but the data backs up that Waite Park Elementary is a exceptional place.For students who DONT come from low-income housing, they score in the top-10% in state on standardized tests.For students who do come from low-income housing, those students score in the top-10% in the state in year over year improvement.Many of the schools traditionally known for excellences show these types of results too, but for a school as diverse as Waite Park it is an accomplishment that deserves to be commended.The staff, teachers and administrators do a exceptional job and while individual experiences vary the overall results and data prove that this is one of the best schools in the state.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2019

Ever since the new principle Mrs. McGuinness started a couple years ago the school has completed turned around in the best ways. I currently have 2 girls going. There is a large involvement from all the families. The teachers and other staff are very friendly.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2016

We've been very happy with our experience at Waite Park. The teachers have been great and there is a high level of family involvement at the PTA sponsored activities through out the year. We contemplate moving from time to time, but are worried we would not find the same sense of community elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2015

We currently have 2 boys at Waite Park and we are very happy with the school. We have 2 more on their way to Waite in a few years. Both our boys are reading above state standards and are challenged and engaged by their teachers. We also love the Parks Programs attached to our school. So glad we chose Waite Park!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

Great school and wonderful teachers. Supportive, safe and involved community! Cannot imagine my children anywhere else!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

Fantastic! We are now in our last year at Waite Park and our son has been served exceedingly well. He has received tremendously individualized attention every year, from kindergarten through 5th grade. Our gifted & talented teacher, Jamie Boardman, is particularly amazing. Our son loves going to school and is always anxious for summer to end so that he can get back to his friends and teachers. Waite Park is a positive, nurturing, respectful and very community-minded school. I can't say enough great things about it. We will miss it next year when we transition to middle school.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

My son attended Waite Park last year for the high-5 program (pre-kindergarten). We immediately fell in love with this school. They have a very nice park and recreation center connected to the school which helps for after school activities as well as sports programs. We also were impressed with their school lunch menu which now offers healthy and organic alternatives. Waite Park school is the perfect setting for our family. One last thing is that Waite Park has a wonderful volunteer program. At the end of the year they have a small breakfast reception for those who have volunteered in the school!
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2012

We love Waite Park! We have a 4th grader & 1st grader currently attending, and have been consistently impressed by the dedication and quality of the teachers - their classroom teachers and the specialists (gifted & talented, art, music, phy ed & media). They also have a superior after school program, notably the theater program which involves kids 1st through 5th grade. Parent involvement is high, and we too like the very diverse environment.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2010

This school has it all! We considered private, charter, and public suburban schools, and ultimately chose Waite Park for our daughter. We're so glad we did! High academic expectations and support plus time for play and personal expression. Dedicated teachers and specialists in music, art, gym, and technology. Student body diversity with high parental involvement. Beautiful facilities with lots of natural light in every classroom. The new principal is kind, thoughtful, and responsive.