Barton Elementary

Barton Elementary School is a public K-5 school in Southwest Minneapolis serving the East Harriet and Kingfield neighborhoods, located at 4237 Colfax Avenue South. Under Principal Jeannette Sather, Barton offers a community-school model with strong academic, social, and emotional supports aimed at lifelong learning. The curriculum emphasizes a balanced education with core instruction in reading, math, science, and social studies, supplemented by arts, STEM/STEAM enrichment, special education, and English Learner services. Barton seeks to foster a child-centered learning environment in which all students feel included, valued, and challenged. Family and community engagement play central roles, as does diversity of experience. The school also operates before- and after-school care to support working families. Barton’s mission promotes high-quality education and strong community ties.

Barton Elementary School includes the 25-26 school supply lists and registration steps for incoming students for the 2025-26 school year.

The school is featured in the Minneapolis Public Schools calendars listing for 2025-2026, confirming its regular schedule hours of 9:25 a.m. to 4:05 p.m. for K-5 grades.

Q1: What academic programs and support services does Barton Elementary offer?

A: Barton provides core instruction in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Enrichment through STEM/STEAM, arts, and special education are included. English Learner services are also available to support multilingual students.

Q2: What is the demographic profile of the student body?

A: Barton serves about 506 students in grades K-5. Approximately 64% identify as White; others include Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian, or multiracial. Around 31% come from low-income households; about 9% are English Learners; roughly 13% receive special education services.

Q3: Who leads the school and what is its philosophy?

A: The principal is Jeannette Sather. Barton Elementary emphasizes a child-centered, inclusive learning environment. The philosophy centers on engaging academics, strong community and family involvement, and the belief that each student should feel that they belong, work together, and thrive.

Q4: How is Barton rated academically and on proficiency metrics?

A: Barton is rated “above average” in public school rankings (e.g. Niche gives it a B+). Approximately 55% of students are proficient in math and about 66% in reading. These metrics show scope for growth but reflect solid baseline skills.

Q5: What programs are in place to support working families or extended care?

A: Barton offers both before-school and after-school care. There are also extracurriculars like STEM/STEAM clubs and community education programs. These options help accommodate parents’ schedules and enrich student learning beyond core class hours.