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AppletonCityHallPhoto: Jake DeGroot · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Appleton · Lac Qui Parle Valley School District

Appleton’s public schools score below 53% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Appleton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state reading tests, 44% of Appleton’s students scored proficient, below the Minnesota average (51%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
44%
▼ 7 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
42%
▼ 3 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–89%
▼ 3–6 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.5K
▼ 9% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.4
MN 14.8
Schools in town
1
610 students on the public path
In brief

Appleton’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Appleton’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,487 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Lac Qui Parle Valley Secondary. Enrollment is up 14% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Appleton’s grade

C+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B−: better than 47% of Minnesota school districts. Graduation is above the Minnesota average; test scores are below it.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 47%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (243)Better than 47%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 419 test results and a graduating class of 50 could put Appleton anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Appleton’s students in the tested grades sat them (421 in math, 417 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Appleton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Appleton-Milan ElementaryLac Qui Parle Valley School DistrictC−
7–12Lac Qui Parle Valley Secondaryin MadisonC+

Appleton’s public schools are run by Lac Qui Parle Valley 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.

Lac Qui Parle Valley School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 890 students, up 14% since 2020–21 · 14.4 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$15,487MN $17,091 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 51.1% · 417 students tested
Math42%
State average 44.8% · 421 students tested

Appleton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Appleton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
AppletonB−Lac Qui Parle Valley

Every school in Appleton

2 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).

District schools in Appletonby address
Appleton-Milan Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C−
230 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Appletonin other towns
Lac Qui Parle Valley Secondary
High · Grades 7–12 · Madison
C+
380 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Appleton’s schools

Are Appleton’s schools good?

On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Appleton children attend score below 53% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 47%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Appleton in?

Lac Qui Parle Valley School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 890 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

What is Appleton’s graduation rate?

80–89% of the class of 2023 in Lac Qui Parle Valley School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Appleton spend per student?

$15,487 in Lac Qui Parle Valley School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Appleton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Appleton → 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.