Steele County Schools & Education
Steele County, Minnesota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
49/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,240
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
49/100
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
#54
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Steele County
School Verdict
Steele County performs at an average level with a school score of 49/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.2%.
Funding Context
Steele County spends $8,240 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 Steele County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 11% below the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Steele County, Minnesota
Steele County’s Focused District Network
Steele County manages 20 public schools across four districts, serving a total student population of 7,105. The system is well-balanced with 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 8 high schools. This structured environment ensures a clear path from early childhood through graduation.
Steady Academic Results and Local Investment
Steele County achieves a graduation rate of 86.2%, nearly matching the state average of 86.6%. Per-pupil expenditure is $8,240, placing the county just below the statewide spending average of $8,463. The county maintains a school score of 54.2, which slightly exceeds the national median of 50.0.
Owatonna Public Schools Lead the Way
The Owatonna Public School District is the largest in the county, educating 4,926 students across 14 schools. The county hosts one charter school, making up 5% of the total public school options. Other notable districts serving the area include Blooming Prairie and NRHEG.
The Feel of Town-Centered Education
Schooling in Steele County has a strong community feel, with 15 schools located in town settings and 5 in rural areas. Owatonna Senior High is the county’s largest school with 1,475 students, while the average school size is 418. Most families attend schools that are integrated closely with local town life.
Build a Future in Steele County
Families looking for consistent academic performance and town-centric living will find Steele County a great fit. Consider homes near the highly-rated elementary schools in Owatonna to secure a spot in this stable educational environment. School district boundaries are a key factor for many buyers in this market.
School Overview
Total Schools
20
in Steele County
Total Enrollment
7,105
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
1
5% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Steele County
OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEDFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
BLOOMING PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
NRHEG SCHOOL DISTRICT
20 Public Schools in Steele County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OWATONNA SENIOR HIGH | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,475 |
| Owatonna Middle School | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 999 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–6 | Primary | 593 |
| WILSON ELEMENTARY | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 537 |
| MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 525 |
| MEDFORD ELEMENTARY | MEDFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 491 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 487 |
| BLOOMING PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY | BLOOMING PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | PK–6 | Primary | 478 |
| MEDFORD SECONDARY | MEDFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 421 |
| BLOOMING PRAIRIE SECONDARY | BLOOMING PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST | 7–12 | High | 375 |
| NRHEG ELEMENTARY | NRHEG SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 363 |
| OWATONNA ECSE | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK | Special Education | 104 |
| OWATONNA ALC 9-12 | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 98 |
| CHOICE Technical Academy | TECHNICAL ACADEMIES OF MINNESOTA | 7–12 | Charter | 51 |
| Owatonna Online 9-12 | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 43 |
| Owatonna Online 6-8 | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 39 |
| Owatonna Online K-5 | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 26 |
| OWATONNA SUMMER SCHOOL 9-12 | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| Owatonna Summer School 6-8 | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Alternative | 0 |
| Owatonna Night School | OWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,240
State avg $8,463
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Steele County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Steele County?
How much does Steele County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Steele County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Steele County, Minnesota?
Steele County manages 20 public schools across four districts, serving a total student population of 7,105. The system is well-balanced with 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 8 high schools. This structured environment ensures a clear path from early childhood through graduation.
How do schools in Steele County perform academically?
Steele County achieves a graduation rate of 86.2%, nearly matching the state average of 86.6%. Per-pupil expenditure is $8,240, placing the county just below the statewide spending average of $8,463. The county maintains a school score of 54.2, which slightly exceeds the national median of 50.0.
What are the major school districts in Steele County, Minnesota?
The Owatonna Public School District is the largest in the county, educating 4,926 students across 14 schools. The county hosts one charter school, making up 5% of the total public school options. Other notable districts serving the area include Blooming Prairie and NRHEG.
What is the school experience like in Steele County?
Schooling in Steele County has a strong community feel, with 15 schools located in town settings and 5 in rural areas. Owatonna Senior High is the county’s largest school with 1,475 students, while the average school size is 418. Most families attend schools that are integrated closely with local town life.
How can I find homes near good schools in Steele County, Minnesota?
Families looking for consistent academic performance and town-centric living will find Steele County a great fit. Consider homes near the highly-rated elementary schools in Owatonna to secure a spot in this stable educational environment. School district boundaries are a key factor for many buyers in this market.
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.