- Enrollment
- 1,537
- Students per teacher
- 21.1:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Bemidji, MN
J.W. Smith Elementary
Federal NCES profile for J.W. Smith Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 28/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 270444000196
👥 S:T ratio 55
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
J.W. Smith Elementary earns 28/100 on the Resource Investment Index, even as it posts class sizes smaller than 75% of Minnesota schools.
- #7 of 10
- schools in Bemidji · Resource Index
- 28
- Resource Index · Lower
- 11.3:1
- small classes for Minnesota
- 83.1%
- free-lunch eligible
J.W. Smith Elementary has class sizes smaller than 75% of Minnesota schools. Computed live against every Minnesota school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, J.W. Smith Elementary ranks #7 of 10 schools in Bemidji, MN.
School address
District: Bemidji Public School District · Minnesota
NCES ID 270444000196 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+21 students YoY
J.W. Smith Elementary grew from 237 students in 2022-23 to 258 in 2023-24 (+8.9%).
Teacher FTE added 21.8 → 22.6 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+21 students YoY 270444000196 · Bemidji, MN Other · SMALL · TRAD
238 enr · 11.3:1 · 83.1% lunch · RII 28
Nearest enrollment peer: Bemidji Senior High (1,537 students)
J.W. Smith Elementary grew from 237 students in 2022-23 to 258 in 2023-24 (+8.9%). Teacher FTE added 21.8 → 22.6 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Minnesota schools → · Find another →
J.W. Smith Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Bemidji Senior
Bemidji Senior High
1,537 students
- Bemidji Middle
Bemidji Middle
967 students
- Gene Dillon El
Gene Dillon Elementary School
667 students
- Lincoln Elemen 320
Lincoln Elementary
320 students
- Horace May Ele 300
Horace May Elementary
300 students
- This school 238
J.W. Smith Elementary
238 students
What this shows J.W. Smith Elementary reports 238 students on the CCD universe file.
How J.W. Smith Elementary compares
J.W. Smith Elementary is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Minnesota and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Minnesota | Minnesota avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 11.3:1 | ▼ 28% | 15.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 83.1% | ▲ 94% | 42.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 238 | top 53% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
11.3:1
Leaner classes than 81% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
238
Bigger than 24% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
83.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 94% above the Minnesota average of 42.8%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
11.3:1
students per teacher
- 28% below state mean
Top 25% in Minnesota - lower ratio than 75% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
63.0%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$15,202
per pupil, district-wide
- below Minnesota avg of $15,919
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 4 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
American Indian / Alaska Native 63.4%
White 23.1%
Two or More 6.7%
Hispanic or Latino 2.9%
African American 2.1%
Asian 1.7%
Largest group: American Indian / Alaska Native at 63.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 53.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 53.9, J.W. Smith Elementary is more mixed than the Minnesota school average of 42.8.
Programs
District finance for Bemidji Public School District reports $15,202 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How J.W. Smith Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bemidji Senior High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Bemidji Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Gene Dillon Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Lincoln Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Horace May Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to J.W. Smith Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 967
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
- Enrollment
- 667
- Students per teacher
- 14.5:1
- Resource Index
- 20/100
- Enrollment
- 320
- Students per teacher
- 12.3:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 300
- Students per teacher
- 12:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~238 students)
Frequently asked questions about J.W. Smith Elementary
How many students attend J.W. Smith Elementary?
J.W. Smith Elementary has 238 students enrolled. It is a public school in Bemidji, MN. CCD year-over-year: 237 (2022-23) → 258 (2023-24), up 21.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J.W. Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at J.W. Smith Elementary is 11.3:1, which is 28% lower than the Minnesota average of 15.8:1 and 28% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at J.W. Smith Elementary?
83.1% of students at J.W. Smith Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Minnesota average of 42.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of J.W. Smith Elementary?
The largest demographic group at J.W. Smith Elementary is American Indian / Alaska Native at 63.4% of enrollment, in Bemidji, MN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 53.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for J.W. Smith Elementary?
J.W. Smith Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 28/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does J.W. Smith Elementary rank among schools in Bemidji?
By Resource Investment Index, J.W. Smith Elementary ranks #7 of 10 schools in Bemidji, MN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Bemidji on the city page.
What other schools are in Bemidji Public School District?
Besides J.W. Smith Elementary, Bemidji Public School District also operates Bemidji Senior High (1,537 students), Bemidji Middle (967 students), and Gene Dillon Elementary School (667 students). See the Bemidji Public School District district page for the complete list.