For the 2025 school year, there are 65 public schools serving 23,645 students in Stearns County, MN (there are , serving 3,582 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Stearns County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Stearns County, MN are Richmond Elementary School, Holdingford Elementary School and Oak Ridge Early Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stearns County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Stearns County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best 51±¬ÁÏs in Stearns County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Richmond Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
34 2nd St Ne
Richmond, MN 56368
(320) 597-2016
Richmond, MN 56368
(320) 597-2016
Gr: K-5 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Holdingford Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-4462
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-4462
Gr: PK-6 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Oak Ridge Early Learning Center
(Math: 81% | Reading: 71% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1111 27th St N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 258-3693
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 258-3693
Gr: PK-K | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #44.
Riverview Intermediate School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
627 Third Avenue North
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 253-2200
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 253-2200
Gr: 3-5 | 915 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Pine Meadow Primary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 69% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1029 5th St N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 253-8303
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 253-8303
Gr: 1-2 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #66.
Sartell Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
748 7th Street North
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-3710
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-3710
Gr: 6-8 | 976 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Avon Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
410 Avon Ave N
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5300
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5300
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #88.
Albany Area High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Forest Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5043
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5043
Gr: 9-12 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #99.
Albany Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10 Forest Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2161
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2161
Gr: PK-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1010.
Kimball Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
405 Hazel Ave E
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5425
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5425
Gr: PK-5 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1111.
Sartell Senior High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3101 Pine Cone Rd
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Gr: 9-12 | 1,315 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1212.
Rocori Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
534 N 5th Ave
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-8683
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-8683
Gr: 6-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1313.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5800 Ridgewood Rd
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7630
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7630
Gr: K-5 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1414.
Albany Area Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
30 Forest Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Gr: 6-8 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1515.
Melrose Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
566 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1616.
Beacon Program W Central Ed. Dist.
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Gr: PK-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1717.
Paynesville Area Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 W Mill St
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3725
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3725
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1818.
Cold Spring Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
601 Red River Ave N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-7534
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-7534
Gr: PK-6 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1919.
West Central Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Gr: 6-12 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2020.
Melrose Secondary
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
546 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Gr: 9-12 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2121.
Rockville Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
415 W Broadway
Rockville, MN 56369
(320) 251-8651
Rockville, MN 56369
(320) 251-8651
Gr: K-5 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2222.
Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
245 School Avenue
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2323.
Kennedy Community School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1300 Jade Rd
Saint Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 370-7430
Saint Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 370-7430
Gr: PK-8 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2424.
Kimball Secondary
(Math: 37% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 W State Highway 55
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-7700
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-7700
Gr: 6-12 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #2525.
Holdingford Secondary
(Math: 38% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2221
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2221
Gr: 7-12 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #2626.
Melrose Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
546 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Gr: 6-8 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2727.
Oak Hill Community Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 County Road 136
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6000
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6000
Gr: PK-5 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2828.
Sauk Centre Secondary
(Math: 38% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
903 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2258
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2258
Gr: 7-12 | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2929.
Roosevelt Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3015 3rd St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6890
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6890
Gr: K-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #3030.
Sauk Centre Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
901 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6521
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6521
Gr: PK-4 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #3131.
Sauk Centre Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
903 State Road
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2258
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2258
Gr: 5-6 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #3232.
Saint Cloud Math And Science Academ
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1025 18th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 774-2201
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 774-2201
Gr: K-5 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2805 9th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6330
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6330
Gr: PK-5 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Technical Senior High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4200 33rd St S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-8350
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-8350
Gr: 9-12 | 1,538 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #3535.
Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Secondary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
710 Washburn Ave
Belgrade, MN 56312
(320) 254-8211
Belgrade, MN 56312
(320) 254-8211
Gr: 6-12 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Show 30 more public schools in Stearns County, MN (out of 65 total schools)
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Stearns County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Albany Area Schools Early Childhood (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
212 1st St Sw
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Gr: PK | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Albany Middle Level Alc Programs (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
933 State Rd.
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Beacon Program Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
903 State Road S
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Gr: 3-8
Central Minnesota Jt. Powers Dist. (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
809 12th St N
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8007
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8007
Gr: 1-12
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8025
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8025
Gr: 6-12
Central Mn Alc - Cold Spring High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
534 5th Ave North
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Gr: 9-12
Central Mn Alc Holdingford High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Gr: 7-12
Central Mn Alc Kimball High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
100 Hwy 55 W
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Gr: 7-12
Central Mn Alc Sartell Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
212 3rd Ave N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Gr: 9-12
Central Mn T.s. Cold Spring (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
534 5th Avenue N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Central Mn T.s. Holdingford (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Central Mn T.s. Street Cloud (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
809 12th Street N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Central Mn Targeted Svcs. Kimball (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
Box 368
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Central Mn Targeted Svcs. Sartell (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
212 3rd Avenue N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Correctional Facility-sauk Centre (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
Box C
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-1100
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-1100
132 West Division St
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 258-3117
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 258-3117
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
216 8th Ave. N.
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 251-4481
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 251-4481
Gr: K-4 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
O.k House High School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1905 Minnesota Blvd
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-8811
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-8811
Gr: 7-12 | 4 students
Riverwoods School - Residential (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Gr: K-12 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 37%
Riverwoods School Non-residential (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Gr: K-12 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
3015 3rd St. N.
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 252-2351
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 252-2351
Gr: K-4 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
St. Cloud Alc High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
809 12th Street N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
St. Cloud Extended Day Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
809 12th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6795
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6795
Gr: 9-12
St. Cloud Group Home (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1101 Washington Memorial Dr
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Gr: 7-12 | 4 students
St. Cloud Social Justice Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2719 W Division St, Ste 111
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 980-7180
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 980-7180
Sartell Ec Service Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
212 3rd Ave N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 251-1284
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 251-1284
Gr: PK-K
933 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2285
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2285
Gr: 7-9 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Star Program (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
9 2nd Street Southwest
Melrose, MN 56352
(620) 256-7836
Melrose, MN 56352
(620) 256-7836
Gr: PK-1
Stride Academy Charter School (Closed 2016)
Charter School
1025 18th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Gr: K-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Targeted Services-stride Academy (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1025 18th Street North
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Gr: 1-8
West Central Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
903 State Road S
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Gr: K-8
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Stearns County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Stearns County, MN include Richmond Elementary School, Holdingford Elementary School and Oak Ridge Early Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Stearns County?
65 public schools are located in Stearns County.
What percentage of students in Stearns County go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Stearns County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Stearns County?
Stearns County public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Stearns County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Stearns County include: Apollo Senior High School vs. Technical Senior High School, Technical Senior High School vs. Apollo Senior High School, Oak Ridge Early Learning Center vs. Pine Meadow Primary School
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