Jackson County Schools & Education
Jackson County, Minnesota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
78/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
95.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,106
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
78/100
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
#5
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jackson County
School Verdict
Jackson County is a high-performing district with a school score of 78/100 and a graduation rate of 95.7%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Jackson County spends $8,106 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 Jackson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 42% above the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 9.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jackson County, Minnesota
A Small but Mighty School System
Jackson County operates 7 public schools across two primary districts, serving a total of 1,401 students. The landscape is streamlined, with 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. This small number of facilities allows for high levels of coordination and community oversight.
Exceptional Outcomes and Graduation Rates
Jackson County leads with an outstanding 95.7% graduation rate, far surpassing the state average of 86.6%. Despite spending slightly less than the state average at $8,106 per pupil, the county achieves a composite school score of 58.9. These numbers indicate an exceptionally high-performing educational environment.
Jackson County Central Leads
The Jackson County Central School District is the primary educator, managing 4 schools and 1,107 students. The Heron Lake-Okabena School District serves a smaller cohort of 294 students. There are currently no charter schools in the county, meaning education is deeply rooted in traditional local districts.
Small Town Classrooms and Rural Quiet
Schools are split between 4 rural locales and 3 town settings, with an average enrollment of 234 students. Riverside Elementary is the largest campus with 370 students, ensuring every child is known by name. This environment fosters a high degree of teacher-student interaction across all grade levels.
Top-Tier Education for Your Children
If graduation rates and academic scores are your top priority, Jackson County is one of the best choices in Minnesota. The intimate school sizes and exceptional 95.7% graduation rate make it a standout for home-buying families. Focus your home search near Jackson for the best access to these top-performing local schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
7
in Jackson County
Total Enrollment
1,401
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Jackson County
JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST.
HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
7 Public Schools in Jackson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY | JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST. | PK–3 | Primary | 370 |
| Jackson County Central Senior High | JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST. | 9–12 | High | 340 |
| JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE | JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST. | 6–8 | Middle | 241 |
| Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary | HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 161 |
| PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY | JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST. | 4–5 | Primary | 156 |
| HERON LAKE-OKABENA ELEMENTARY | HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 133 |
| Jackson Co Central Credit Recovery | Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,106
State avg $8,463
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jackson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jackson County?
How much does Jackson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jackson County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jackson County, Minnesota?
Jackson County operates 7 public schools across two primary districts, serving a total of 1,401 students. The landscape is streamlined, with 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. This small number of facilities allows for high levels of coordination and community oversight.
How do schools in Jackson County perform academically?
Jackson County leads with an outstanding 95.7% graduation rate, far surpassing the state average of 86.6%. Despite spending slightly less than the state average at $8,106 per pupil, the county achieves a composite school score of 58.9. These numbers indicate an exceptionally high-performing educational environment.
What are the major school districts in Jackson County, Minnesota?
The Jackson County Central School District is the primary educator, managing 4 schools and 1,107 students. The Heron Lake-Okabena School District serves a smaller cohort of 294 students. There are currently no charter schools in the county, meaning education is deeply rooted in traditional local districts.
What is the school experience like in Jackson County?
Schools are split between 4 rural locales and 3 town settings, with an average enrollment of 234 students. Riverside Elementary is the largest campus with 370 students, ensuring every child is known by name. This environment fosters a high degree of teacher-student interaction across all grade levels.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jackson County, Minnesota?
If graduation rates and academic scores are your top priority, Jackson County is one of the best choices in Minnesota. The intimate school sizes and exceptional 95.7% graduation rate make it a standout for home-buying families. Focus your home search near Jackson for the best access to these top-performing local schools.
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.