Cottonwood County Schools & Education
Cottonwood County, Minnesota
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
84/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Higher Signal
Graduation Rate
95.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,898
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
84/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 55/100
State Score Position
#2
of 87 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Cottonwood County
Measured School Summary
Cottonwood County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 84/100 and a graduation rate of 95.3%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.
Funding Context
Cottonwood County spends $8,898 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 52% above the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 8.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Cottonwood County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
13 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
84/100
Higher measured signal. Ranks #2 of 87 Minnesota counties with school score data.
Completion
95.3%
8.7 pts above the state average
Funding context
$8,898
$435 above the state average
School coverage
13
3 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county screens well on the combined school metrics available here. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Cottonwood County has 13 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Cottonwood County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Dominant-district county
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop carries most of the listed public-school system, with 25 of 13 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#2
of 87 Minnesota counties with school score data. The county score is 29 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Elementary to high school visible
1,166 students
4 listed schools in this county slice.
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Elementary and high visible
501 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
Elementary to high school visible
82 students
6 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop is the largest listed district slice, with 25 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Cottonwood County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Cottonwood County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Cottonwood County, Minnesota
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
A Small-Scale Network Focused on Results
Cottonwood County manages a focused education system of 13 public schools across three districts, serving 1,932 students. The infrastructure includes three elementary, two middle, and six high schools to support its local communities.
Exceptional Graduation Rates Outpace the State
The county boasts an impressive 95.3% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 86.6% and the national average of 87%. Investment remains steady at $8,898 per pupil, which is higher than the Minnesota average of $8,463.
Windom Public Schools Lead the County
Windom Public School District is the largest provider, enrolling 1,166 students across its four campuses. There are currently no charter schools in the county, with the vast majority of students attending traditional public schools.
Cozy Learning Environments in Town Settings
With nine schools in town locales and four in rural areas, the average school size is just 193 students. Windom Area Elementary is the largest campus with 547 students, offering a more intimate feel than urban districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Cottonwood County
Reported Enrollment
1,932
13 schools reporting
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
3 School Districts in Cottonwood County
WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
13 Public Schools in Cottonwood County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 13 of 13 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windom Area Elementary | Record | WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | WINDOM, 56101Rural: Fringe | KG–5 | Primary | 547 |
| WINDOM SENIOR HIGH | Record | WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | 9–12 | High | 339 |
| WINDOM MIDDLE | Record | WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | 6–8 | Middle | 267 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY | Record | MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | MOUNTAIN LAKE, 56159Rural: Distant | PK–6 | Primary | 257 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY | Record | MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | MOUNTAIN LAKE, 56159Rural: Distant | 7–12 | High | 244 |
| WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE SECONDARY | Record | WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE SCHOOLS | WESTBROOK, 56183Rural: Remote | 7–12 | High | 183 |
| SWWC ELC - Windom | Record | Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | KG–12 | Special Education | 50 |
| SWWC ALC - Windom | Record | Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | 9–12 | Alternative | 31 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER | Record | WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | PK | Special Education | 13 |
| SWWC ALC Midlevel - Windom | Record | Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | 7–8 | Alternative | 1 |
| STARRS ONLINE ACADEMY | Record | Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | 7–12 | Virtual | 0 |
| STARSS Online Academy Elementary | Record | Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | KG–6 | Virtual | 0 |
| Windom Learn Center Credit Recovery | Record | Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop | WINDOM, 56101Town: Remote | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Windom Area Elementary
WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
WINDOM, 56101 / Rural: Fringe
WINDOM SENIOR HIGH
WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MOUNTAIN LAKE, 56159 / Rural: Distant
MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MOUNTAIN LAKE, 56159 / Rural: Distant
WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE SECONDARY
WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE SCHOOLS
WESTBROOK, 56183 / Rural: Remote
SWWC ELC - Windom
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
SWWC ALC - Windom
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER
WINDOM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
SWWC ALC Midlevel - Windom
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
STARRS ONLINE ACADEMY
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
STARSS Online Academy Elementary
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
Windom Learn Center Credit Recovery
Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
WINDOM, 56101 / Town: Remote
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,898
State avg $8,463
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Cottonwood County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Minnesota counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Minnesota?
How should I read the school score in Cottonwood County?
What is the graduation rate in Cottonwood County?
How much does Cottonwood County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cottonwood County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?
Cottonwood County manages a focused education system of 13 public schools across three districts, serving 1,932 students. The infrastructure includes three elementary, two middle, and six high schools to support its local communities.
How do schools in Cottonwood County perform academically?
The county boasts an impressive 95.3% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 86.6% and the national average of 87%. Investment remains steady at $8,898 per pupil, which is higher than the Minnesota average of $8,463.
What are the major school districts in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?
Windom Public School District is the largest provider, enrolling 1,166 students across its four campuses. There are currently no charter schools in the county, with the vast majority of students attending traditional public schools.
What is the school experience like in Cottonwood County?
With nine schools in town locales and four in rural areas, the average school size is just 193 students. Windom Area Elementary is the largest campus with 547 students, offering a more intimate feel than urban districts.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.