Nicollet County Schools & Education
Nicollet County, Minnesota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
64/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,226
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
64/100
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
#25
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Nicollet County
School Verdict
Nicollet County performs at an average level with a school score of 64/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.1%.
Funding Context
Nicollet County spends $8,226 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 Nicollet County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 15% above the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Nicollet County, Minnesota
A Diverse and Growing Academic Network
Nicollet County supports 4,584 students through 24 public schools and five distinct districts. The infrastructure is well-rounded, featuring seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and six high schools.
Top-Tier Performance and Efficient Spending
The county earns a strong 56.8 school score, paired with an excellent graduation rate of 91.1%. Even with per-pupil spending at $8,226—slightly below the state average—the county consistently delivers results that beat national benchmarks.
St. Peter and Mankato Districts Excel
St. Peter Public School District leads the county with 2,090 students across 10 schools. While traditional districts dominate, the county also hosts one charter school, offering families a specialized alternative to the standard curriculum.
A Blend of Town and Suburban Life
The county features a rare mix of 11 town, 8 rural, and 5 suburban school settings, with an average enrollment of 241 students. Dakota Meadows Middle School is the largest campus with 878 students, while the St. Peter schools provide a mid-sized community feel.
Proximity to Success in St. Peter
Nicollet County is an ideal choice for buyers who want suburban amenities paired with high academic standards. Focus your home search near St. Peter or the Mankato borders to take advantage of these top-rated middle and high schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
24
in Nicollet County
Total Enrollment
4,584
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
1
4% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Nicollet County
ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
NICOLLET PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Minnesota Valley Education District
LAFAYETTE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
Socrates
24 Public Schools in Nicollet County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Meadows Middle School | MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 878 |
| St. Peter High School | ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 718 |
| St. Peter Middle School | ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 621 |
| HOOVER ELEMENTARY | MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 503 |
| MONROE ELEMENTARY | MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 428 |
| North Elementary School | ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 2–4 | Primary | 383 |
| South Elementary School | ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–1 | Primary | 275 |
| BRIDGES COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY | MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 233 |
| Nicollet High School | NICOLLET PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 177 |
| NICOLLET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NICOLLET PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 163 |
| ST. PETER ECSE | ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK | Special Education | 56 |
| FUTURES PROGRAM | MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–12 | Special Education | 33 |
| Minnesota Valley School | Minnesota Valley Education District | KG–12 | Special Education | 32 |
| MN VALLEY ED. DIST. EARLY CHILDHOOD | Minnesota Valley Education District | PK | Special Education | 24 |
| ROCK BEND HS ALC | ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 22 |
| Oshawa Learning Academy | ST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 4–12 | Alternative | 15 |
| Minnesota River School | Minnesota Valley Education District | KG–12 | Special Education | 11 |
| Nicollet Early Childhood Special Ed | NICOLLET PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK | Special Education | 7 |
| Minnesota Prairie School | Minnesota Valley Education District | KG–12 | Special Education | 5 |
| LAFAYETTE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | LAFAYETTE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | PK–8 | Charter | 0 |
Minnesota Valley Education District
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,226
State avg $8,463
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Nicollet County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Nicollet County?
How much does Nicollet County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Nicollet County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Nicollet County, Minnesota?
Nicollet County supports 4,584 students through 24 public schools and five distinct districts. The infrastructure is well-rounded, featuring seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and six high schools.
How do schools in Nicollet County perform academically?
The county earns a strong 56.8 school score, paired with an excellent graduation rate of 91.1%. Even with per-pupil spending at $8,226—slightly below the state average—the county consistently delivers results that beat national benchmarks.
What are the major school districts in Nicollet County, Minnesota?
St. Peter Public School District leads the county with 2,090 students across 10 schools. While traditional districts dominate, the county also hosts one charter school, offering families a specialized alternative to the standard curriculum.
What is the school experience like in Nicollet County?
The county features a rare mix of 11 town, 8 rural, and 5 suburban school settings, with an average enrollment of 241 students. Dakota Meadows Middle School is the largest campus with 878 students, while the St. Peter schools provide a mid-sized community feel.
How can I find homes near good schools in Nicollet County, Minnesota?
Nicollet County is an ideal choice for buyers who want suburban amenities paired with high academic standards. Focus your home search near St. Peter or the Mankato borders to take advantage of these top-rated middle and high 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.