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CleawatermnPhoto: WikiMRV/M.R. Voigt · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Clearwater · St. Cloud Public School District

Clearwater’s public schools score below 78% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation

28% of students in Clearwater’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Clearwater, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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
38%
▼ 13 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 17 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
64%
▼ 19 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.1K
▲ 0% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.9
MN 14.8 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
8,745 students on the public path
In brief

Clearwater’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1600 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Clearwater’s, its schools beat 2%, lower than their 22% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

64% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,140 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Seven elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. 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 Clearwater’s grade

C Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 22% of Minnesota school districts. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1600)Better than 2%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,224 test results and a graduating class of 815 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Clearwater’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,184 in math, 4,265 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–57 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to B
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C+
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressC

Clearwater’s public schools are run by St. Cloud 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.

St. Cloud Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 22 schools · 9,803 students, up 3% since 2021–22 · 13.9 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$17,140MN $17,091 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading38%
State average 51.1% · 4265 students tested
Math28%
State average 44.8% · 4184 students tested

Clearwater vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ClearwaterC−St. Cloud Public
Clearwater TownshipCAnnandale Public PK–12 · St. Cloud Public PK–12
LyndenCSt. Cloud Public PK–12 · Annandale Public PK–12
Clear LakeCSt. Cloud Public PK–12 · Becker Public PK–12

All 3 neighbors share St. Cloud Public with Clearwater, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Clearwater

11 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).

Also serving Clearwaterin other towns
Oak Hill Community Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Saint Cloud
B−
878 students15:1Rate it →
Madison Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Saint Cloud
C−
704 students14:1Rate it →
Talahi Community Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3 · Saint Cloud
701 students12:1Rate it →
Kennedy Community School
Grades PK–9 · Saint Joseph
C+
582 students13:1Rate it →
Discovery Community Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Waite Park
C−
572 students13:1Rate it →
Westwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Saint Cloud
B−
531 students15:1Rate it →
Clearview Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Clear Lake
B
401 students14:1Rate it →
South Junior High
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Saint Cloud
C
831 students16:1Rate it →
North Junior High
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Saint Cloud
C−
720 students16:1Rate it →
Technical Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Saint Cloud
C
1,561 students18:1Rate it →
Apollo Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Saint Cloud
C
1,264 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Clearwater’s schools

Are Clearwater’s schools good?

On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Clearwater children attend score below 78% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 2%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clearwater in?

St. Cloud Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,803 students in 22 schools (2024–25).

Where do Clearwater kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Technical Senior High and Apollo Senior High.

What is Clearwater’s graduation rate?

64% of the class of 2023 in St. Cloud Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Clearwater spend per student?

$17,140 in St. Cloud Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Clearwater families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clearwater → 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.