J.W. Smith Elementary

238 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 3rd

School Overview

J.W. Smith Elementary School is a public school located in Bemidji, Minnesota, serving students from kindergarten through grade 5. As part of the Bemidji Area Schools district, the institution is committed to providing a foundational education that balances core academic subjects like literacy and mathematics with social-emotional development. The school is known for fostering a supportive community atmosphere, aiming to prepare students for middle school through structured learning environments and active teacher involvement.

Beyond the classroom, J.W. Smith Elementary emphasizes a well-rounded student experience by offering various programs and support services designed to meet diverse learning needs. The school prioritizes family engagement and maintains a focus on creating an inclusive environment where students are encouraged to grow both intellectually and personally. By utilizing the resources of the larger Bemidji school district, J.W. Smith provides students with access to essential educational tools and extracurricular opportunities that contribute to a comprehensive elementary school experience.

238

Total Students

20.5

Full-Time Teachers

11.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

82.4%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for J.W. Smith Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	55
Hispanic	7
Black	5
Asian	4
Two or More	16
American Indian	151

American Indian
151 (63.4%)
White
55 (23.1%)
Two or More
16 (6.7%)
Hispanic
7 (2.9%)
Black
5 (2.1%)
Asian
4 (1.7%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Bemidji Public School District
Phone:	(218)333-3290
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 3rd
Total Students:	238
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	20.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	11.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	183
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	13

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 33

Kindergarten 55

Grade 1 51

Grade 2 49

Grade 3 50