Brown County Schools & Education

Brown County, Minnesota

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

47/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

85.5%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

85.5%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 86.6%

Per-Pupil Spending

$8,198

National avg $13,239

State avg $8,463

School Score

47/100

Higher = better

State avg 55/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#59

of 87 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Brown County

School Verdict

Brown County performs at an average level with a school score of 47/100 and a solid graduation rate of 85.5%.

Funding Context

Brown County spends $8,198 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Brown County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 15% below the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Brown County, Minnesota

Community-Focused Learning in Brown County

Brown County supports 3,636 students across 18 public schools and 5 districts. The system is heavily weighted toward secondary education, with eight high schools and five elementary schools serving the local population.

Consistent Outcomes and Disciplined Spending

Graduation rates in Brown County stand at 85.5%, which is slightly lower than the state's 86.6% average. Per-pupil expenditure is $8,198, representing a disciplined approach compared to the national average of $13,000.

New Ulm Leads the District Hierarchy

New Ulm Public School District is the county's largest, enrolling 2,162 students across five specialized campuses. The county relies exclusively on traditional public districts, as there are no charter schools currently available.

Town-Based Schools with Intimate Sizes

Thirteen of the county's schools are located in town settings, contributing to an average school size of 214 students. New Ulm High School is the largest campus with 706 students, while many other facilities serve fewer than 300 children.

Safe, Town-Centered Neighborhoods for Families

Homebuyers will find a high concentration of schools within the town limits of New Ulm and Sleepy Eye. These tight-knit school communities offer a stable environment for families looking for a classic Minnesota town experience.

School Overview

Total Schools

18

in Brown County

Total Enrollment

3,636

students

School Districts

5

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary5
Middle1
High8
Other4

5 School Districts in Brown County

NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

5 schools
2,162 students

SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
591 students

SLEEPY EYE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
589 students

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

7 schools
179 students

COMFREY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
115 students

18 Public Schools in Brown County

NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL

NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12High706 students
NEW ULM MIDDLE SCHOOL

NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

5–8Middle648 students
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY

NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

1–4Primary619 students
SLEEPY EYE ELEMENTARY

SLEEPY EYE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–6Primary338 students
SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY

SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–6Primary302 students
SPRINGFIELD SECONDARY

SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–12High289 students
SLEEPY EYE SEC.

SLEEPY EYE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–12High251 students
Washington Learning Center

NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–KGPrimary188 students
RIVER BEND AREA LEARNING CENTER

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

7–12Alternative63 students
RIVER BEND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROG.

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

PKSpecial Education62 students
COMFREY SECONDARY

COMFREY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–12High60 students
COMFREY ELEMENTARY

COMFREY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–6Primary55 students
IMPRINTS PROGRAM

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

KG–12Special Education28 students
R.I.S.E. Program

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

KG–12Special Education11 students
Raptor Program

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

2–12Special Education10 students
W.O.R.K. Program

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

10–12Special Education5 students
New Ulm CTE Center

NEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

11–12Vocational1 students
River Bend ALC Credit Recovery Prog

RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

9–12Alternative0 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$8,198

State avg $8,463

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Brown County rate?
Brown County has a school score of 47/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Brown County?
The high school graduation rate in Brown County is 85.5%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Brown County spend per student?
Brown County spends $8,198 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Brown County, Minnesota — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Brown County, Minnesota?

Brown County supports 3,636 students across 18 public schools and 5 districts. The system is heavily weighted toward secondary education, with eight high schools and five elementary schools serving the local population.

How do schools in Brown County perform academically?

Graduation rates in Brown County stand at 85.5%, which is slightly lower than the state's 86.6% average. Per-pupil expenditure is $8,198, representing a disciplined approach compared to the national average of $13,000.

What are the major school districts in Brown County, Minnesota?

New Ulm Public School District is the county's largest, enrolling 2,162 students across five specialized campuses. The county relies exclusively on traditional public districts, as there are no charter schools currently available.

What is the school experience like in Brown County?

Thirteen of the county's schools are located in town settings, contributing to an average school size of 214 students. New Ulm High School is the largest campus with 706 students, while many other facilities serve fewer than 300 children.

How can I find homes near good schools in Brown County, Minnesota?

Homebuyers will find a high concentration of schools within the town limits of New Ulm and Sleepy Eye. These tight-knit school communities offer a stable environment for families looking for a classic Minnesota town experience.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.