Birch Lake Elementary

Birch Lake Elementary, a low-enrollment elementary campus in WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minnesota, part of White Bear Lake School District, caters to 239 students, covering grades pre-K through 5. Enrollment runs roughly 31% leaner than the state mean of about 344.

White Bear Lake School District runs 17 schools in total, collectively educating 8,571 students. Birch Lake Elementary is one of those campuses.

Demographically, Birch Lake Elementary records that 54% of students identify as White, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups; the rest looks like 17% Hispanic, 11% Black, 9% multiracial, 9% Asian.

In terms of school funding signals, The school currently runs with 22 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 10.8:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.7:1, putting Birch Lake Elementary tighter than the state norm the norm. About 46% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. Set against Ramsey County (around 57%), the school's rate is south of typical.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), Birch Lake Elementary sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 40.3%; this one delivers 32.3%.

In the surrounding community, community-level numbers for Ramsey County indicate the typical household earns roughly $81,568 per year, 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 8%. In all, Ramsey County runs 302 public schools (combined enrollment of about 94,437 students), of which Birch Lake Elementary is one.

The closest other public school is Lincoln Elementary, roughly 0.8 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Birch Lake Elementary at 6th of 6; the average score across the group is 51.3%.

Geographically, the school is in a bedroom-community area.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Birch Lake Elementary has contracted 13%, going from 275 students in 2018 to 239 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share shrank from 64% to 54%.

On this page, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.