Albert Lea’s public schools score below 65% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
In Albert Lea, 40% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Minnesota average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Albert Lea, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.
From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 82% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Albert Lea’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1038 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Albert Lea’s, its schools beat 17%, lower than their 35% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 82% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,748 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one middle school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Southwest Middle, then Albert Lea Senior High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Theodore's El (private) is in town. Albert Lea Secondary Online Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Albert Lea’s grade
C+: better than 35% of Minnesota school districts, #248 of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Albert Lea, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Albert Lea
Southwest Middle
Grades 6–7 · 486 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Albert Lea
Southwest Middle
Grades 6–7 · 486 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Albert Lea
Albert Lea Senior High
Grades 8–12 · 1,196 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Albert Lea
Albert Lea Senior High
Grades 8–12 · 1,196 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Albert Lea
Albert Lea Senior High
Grades 8–12 · 1,196 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Albert Lea
Albert Lea Senior High
Grades 8–12 · 1,196 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Albert Lea
Albert Lea Senior High
Grades 8–12 · 1,196 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Albert Lea’s public schools are run by Albert Lea Public School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Albert Lea vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Albert Lea’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Albert Lea | C+ | Albert Lea Public |
| Albert Lea Township | — | Albert Lea Public |
| Bancroft | — | Albert Lea Public |
| Pickerel Lake | — | Albert Lea Public PK–12 · Alden-Conger Public PK–12 |
All 3 neighbors share Albert Lea Public with Albert Lea, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Albert Lea
10 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Albert Lea’s schools
Are Albert Lea’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Albert Lea children attend score below 65% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #248 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 17%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Albert Lea in?
Albert Lea Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,335 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
What is Albert Lea’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in Albert Lea Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Albert Lea spend per student?
$17,748 in Albert Lea Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Albert Lea?
Yes: St. Theodore's El (Catholic, grades PK–5, 92 students).
Parents talk
What Albert Lea families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Albert Lea → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.