Dakota County Schools & Education
Dakota County, Minnesota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
53/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,984
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
53/100
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
#41
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Dakota County
School Verdict
Dakota County performs at an average level with a school score of 53/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.1%.
Funding Context
Dakota County spends $8,984 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 Dakota County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% below the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Dakota County, Minnesota
A Massive Infrastructure for Modern Learning
Dakota County hosts a sprawling network of 150 public schools serving 73,725 students across 17 districts. This robust system includes 62 elementary schools, 21 middle schools, and 48 high schools.
High Funding Levels Support Large Populations
The county spends $8,984 per pupil, which is well above the state average of $8,463. This investment supports an 86.1% graduation rate, nearly matching the state average while serving a much larger student body.
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Leads the Way
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district is the largest, educating 29,221 students across 41 schools. Charter schools represent about 5% of the county's total public school options with eight dedicated facilities.
A Primarily Suburban Educational Experience
With 102 schools located in suburban locales, campuses are generally large and average 523 students. Rosemount Senior High is the county’s largest school, serving 2,425 students in a high-energy environment.
Suburban Living Near Top-Tier Schools
Families looking for extensive extracurriculars and diverse course offerings should focus on homes in Lakeville or Eagan. The county's strong per-pupil spending makes it a premier destination for education-minded buyers.
School Overview
Total Schools
150
in Dakota County
Total Enrollment
73,725
students
School Districts
17
districts
Charter Schools
8
5% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
17 School Districts in Dakota County
ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN
Lakeville Area Schools
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools
FARMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan
HASTINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS
South St. Paul Public School Dist
RANDOLPH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT 917
150 Public Schools in Dakota County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROSEMOUNT SENIOR HIGH | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 9–12 | High | 2,425 |
| EASTVIEW SENIOR HIGH | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 9–12 | High | 2,308 |
| FARMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL | FARMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 2,201 |
| EAGAN SENIOR HIGH | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 9–12 | High | 2,171 |
| Burnsville High School | Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools | 9–12 | High | 2,119 |
| LAKEVILLE SOUTH HIGH | Lakeville Area Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,906 |
| APPLE VALLEY SENIOR HIGH | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 9–12 | High | 1,893 |
| LAKEVILLE NORTH HIGH | Lakeville Area Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,796 |
| Two Rivers High School | West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan | 9–12 | High | 1,479 |
| BURNSVILLE AREA LEARNING CENTER | Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools | 6–12 | Alternative | 1,390 |
| HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL | HASTINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,353 |
| HASTINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL | HASTINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 1,210 |
| ROSEMOUNT MIDDLE | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 6–8 | Middle | 1,205 |
| SCOTT HIGHLANDS MIDDLE | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 6–8 | Middle | 1,184 |
| DAKOTA HILLS MIDDLE | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 6–8 | Middle | 1,158 |
| Valley Middle School of STEM | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 6–8 | Middle | 1,076 |
| SIMLEY SENIOR HIGH | INVER GROVE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 1,062 |
| FALCON RIDGE MIDDLE | ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN | 6–8 | Middle | 970 |
| CENTURY MIDDLE SCHOOL | Lakeville Area Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 931 |
| South St. Paul High School | South St. Paul Public School Dist | 9–12 | High | 923 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,984
State avg $8,463
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Dakota County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Dakota County?
How much does Dakota County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Dakota County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Dakota County, Minnesota?
Dakota County hosts a sprawling network of 150 public schools serving 73,725 students across 17 districts. This robust system includes 62 elementary schools, 21 middle schools, and 48 high schools.
How do schools in Dakota County perform academically?
The county spends $8,984 per pupil, which is well above the state average of $8,463. This investment supports an 86.1% graduation rate, nearly matching the state average while serving a much larger student body.
What are the major school districts in Dakota County, Minnesota?
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district is the largest, educating 29,221 students across 41 schools. Charter schools represent about 5% of the county's total public school options with eight dedicated facilities.
What is the school experience like in Dakota County?
With 102 schools located in suburban locales, campuses are generally large and average 523 students. Rosemount Senior High is the county’s largest school, serving 2,425 students in a high-energy environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Dakota County, Minnesota?
Families looking for extensive extracurriculars and diverse course offerings should focus on homes in Lakeville or Eagan. The county's strong per-pupil spending makes it a premier destination for education-minded buyers.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.