Top Rankings
Benton-Stearns Education School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 43 students in Benton-Stearns Education School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public middle schools in Minnesota.
Public Middle Schools in Benton-Stearns Education School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
6 Schools
999 Schools
# Students
163 Students
272,844 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
17,802 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Benton-Stearns Education School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
Overall District Rank
#486 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)≤20%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
41%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.59
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
2%
7%
% Hispanic
8%
11%
% Black
4%
12%
% White
77%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $55,969 is higher than the state median of $17,860. The school district revenue/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $60,773 is higher than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$9 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$10 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$55,969
$17,860
Spending / Student
$60,773
$18,585
Best Benton-Stearns Education School District Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Benton-stearns Education District
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
324 3rd Avenue South
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Gr: 5-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Education - Asd
Special Education School
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Gr: K-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Grafton School
Alternative School
224 Krays Mill Road
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Gr: K-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Recent Articles
Bullying, Name-Calling & Put-Downs: Parent Guide 2025
Practical tips for parents to address bullying, name-calling, and put-downs鈥攚ith 2025 data, policies, and expert strategies.
What Is a Magnet School? (2025 Guide)
Explore what a magnet school is, how it works, and its benefits in 2025. Clear explanation for parents, students, and educators.
Cooperative Learning in 2025: Evidence, Best Practices & Challenges
Explore cooperative learning in 2025鈥攏ew data, updated practices, expert insights for educators and families.
