Stearns County Schools & Education
Stearns County, Minnesota
School Score
38/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
79.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
79.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,181
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
38/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
State School Rank
#77
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Explore Stearns County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Stearns County, Minnesota
Stearns County’s Expansive Educational Infrastructure
Stearns County supports a massive educational network of 66 schools serving 24,053 students across 15 different districts. The infrastructure includes 25 elementary, 9 middle, and 21 high schools, plus 11 specialized facilities. This diverse system provides a broad range of options for families throughout the region.
Evaluating Performance and Educational Investment
The county invests $8,181 per pupil, which sits slightly below the Minnesota state average of $8,463. While the graduation rate is 79.6%, trailing the national 87% benchmark, the school score of 50.6 remains competitive with the national median. Data for local bachelor's degree attainment is currently unavailable.
Spotlight on St. Cloud and Growing Charters
The St. Cloud Public School District dominates the local landscape, managing 25 schools and 9,286 students. Charter schools represent 7.6% of the county's options, providing alternative pathways for over 1,800 students. Other major players include the Sartell-St. Stephen and ROCORI districts.
A Dynamic Mix of Urban and Rural Learning
Learning environments vary significantly here, from 28 rural campuses to 14 city schools. Technical Senior High is the largest facility with 1,515 students, while the average school size is a manageable 408. This mix of suburban, urban, and rural settings offers families distinct lifestyle choices.
Find Your Home Near Stearns County Schools
With 15 districts and dozens of school types to choose from, home buyers have many options for matching a neighborhood to their educational needs. Explore local real estate to find the perfect proximity to top-rated high schools like Sartell Senior High. School quality remains a vital consideration for families moving to the area.
School Overview
Total Schools
66
in Stearns County
Total Enrollment
24,053
students
School Districts
15
districts
Charter Schools
5
8% of total
School Type Breakdown
15 School Districts in Stearns County
ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
ROCORI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
ALBANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
MELROSE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
SAUK CENTRE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
HOLDINGFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
EDEN VALLEY-WATKINS SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAYNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
KIMBALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
66 Public Schools in Stearns County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TECHNICAL SENIOR HIGH | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,515 |
| SARTELL SENIOR HIGH | SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,349 |
| APOLLO SENIOR HIGH | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,225 |
| SARTELL MIDDLE | SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 978 |
| Riverview Intermediate School | SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL DISTRICT | 3–5 | Primary | 938 |
| ROCORI SENIOR HIGH | ROCORI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 876 |
| SOUTH JUNIOR HIGH | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 867 |
| OAK HILL COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 814 |
| NORTH JUNIOR HIGH | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 708 |
| MADISON ELEMENTARY | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 649 |
| KENNEDY COMMUNITY SCHOOL | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–8 | Primary | 626 |
| COLD SPRING ELEMENTARY | ROCORI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 618 |
| SAUK CENTRE SECONDARY | SAUK CENTRE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 608 |
| HOLDINGFORD ELEMENTARY | HOLDINGFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 594 |
| Pine Meadow Primary School | SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL DISTRICT | 1–2 | Primary | 562 |
| ROCORI MIDDLE | ROCORI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 560 |
| Stride Academy K-8 Charter School | STRIDE Academy | KG–8 | Charter | 544 |
| Albany Area High School | ALBANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 536 |
| ALBANY ELEMENTARY | ALBANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 498 |
| PAYNESVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL | PAYNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–12 | High | 489 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,181
State avg $8,463
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Stearns County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Stearns County, Minnesota?
Stearns County supports a massive educational network of 66 schools serving 24,053 students across 15 different districts. The infrastructure includes 25 elementary, 9 middle, and 21 high schools, plus 11 specialized facilities. This diverse system provides a broad range of options for families throughout the region.
How do schools in Stearns County perform academically?
The county invests $8,181 per pupil, which sits slightly below the Minnesota state average of $8,463. While the graduation rate is 79.6%, trailing the national 87% benchmark, the school score of 50.6 remains competitive with the national median. Data for local bachelor's degree attainment is currently unavailable.
What are the major school districts in Stearns County, Minnesota?
The St. Cloud Public School District dominates the local landscape, managing 25 schools and 9,286 students. Charter schools represent 7.6% of the county's options, providing alternative pathways for over 1,800 students. Other major players include the Sartell-St. Stephen and ROCORI districts.
What is the school experience like in Stearns County?
Learning environments vary significantly here, from 28 rural campuses to 14 city schools. Technical Senior High is the largest facility with 1,515 students, while the average school size is a manageable 408. This mix of suburban, urban, and rural settings offers families distinct lifestyle choices.
How can I find homes near good schools in Stearns County, Minnesota?
With 15 districts and dozens of school types to choose from, home buyers have many options for matching a neighborhood to their educational needs. Explore local real estate to find the perfect proximity to top-rated high schools like Sartell Senior High. School quality remains a vital consideration for families moving to the area.
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.