Photo: Darb02 · CC BY-SA 4.0Austin’s public schools score below 74% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 27% of Austin’s students scored proficient, below the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Austin, 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 98% 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.
Austin’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1161 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Austin’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 26% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,905 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Ellis Middle, then Austin Senior High. Enrollment is up 15% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Pacelli Catholic Schools (private) and New Dominion School (private) are in town. Austin 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 Austin’s grade
C: better than 26% of Minnesota school districts, #265 of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Austin, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Austin
I.J. Holton Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 712 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Austin
I.J. Holton Intermediate School
Grades 5–6 · 712 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Austin
Ellis Middle
Grades 7–8 · 726 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Austin
Ellis Middle
Grades 7–8 · 726 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Austin
Austin Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,485 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Austin
Austin Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,485 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Austin
Austin Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,485 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Austin
Austin Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,485 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Austin’s public schools are run by Austin Public School District, which also serves Austin, Lansing, Lyle and Mapleview and others. 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
Austin vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Austin’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | C | Austin Public |
| Lansing | — | Austin Public |
| Austin Township | — | Austin Public |
| Mapleview | — | Austin Public |
| Windom | — | Southland Public PK–12 · Austin Public PK–12 |
| Red Rock | — | Hayfield Public |
4 of the 5 neighbors share Austin Public with Austin, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Austin
14 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Austin Area Learning Cntr. - Summer and New Dominion Academy).
Questions about Austin’s schools
Are Austin’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Austin children attend score below 74% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #265 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Austin in?
Austin Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,385 students in 12 schools (2024–25).
Where do Austin kids go to high school?
Austin Senior High, with 1,485 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Austin’s graduation rate?
75% of the class of 2023 in Austin Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Austin spend per student?
$15,905 in Austin Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Austin?
Yes: Pacelli Catholic Schools (Catholic, grades PK–12, 293 students) and New Dominion School (nonsectarian, grades 4–12, 73 students).
Parents talk
What Austin families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Austin → 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.