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Philip Guettler HousePhilip Guettler House · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Cologne · Central Public School District

Cologne’s public schools outscore 80% of Minnesota districts

The four-year graduation rate in Cologne’s district is 98%, above the Minnesota average (83%). The grade covers the public school district serving Cologne, 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 97% 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
53%
▲ 2 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
50%
▲ 5 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 12–17 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.4K
▼ 16% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.6
MN 14.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
966 students on the public path
In brief

Cologne’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 773 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cologne’s, its schools beat 71%, lower than their 80% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 53% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓

Charters enroll a large share of students

Charter schools located in Cologne enroll 709 students, against the district’s 966. Each is graded on its own results; none is part of the district grade. Every school ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,390 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Central Middle, then Central Senior High. 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 Cologne’s grade

B+ Test scoresA Graduation

A−: better than 80% of Minnesota school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Minnesota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 80%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (773)Better than 71%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 460 test results and a graduating class of 81 could put Cologne anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Cologne’s students in the tested grades sat them (464 in math, 456 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Central Elementaryin Norwood Young AmericaA−
6–8Central Middlein Norwood Young AmericaC+
9–12Central Senior Highin Norwood Young AmericaB−

Cologne’s public schools are run by Central Public School District, which also serves Benton, Camden, Hamburg and Hancock 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.

Central Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 966 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 15.6 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$14,390MN $17,091 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading53%
State average 51.1% · 456 students tested
Math50%
State average 44.8% · 464 students tested

Cologne vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CologneA−Central Public

Every school in Cologne

5 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 Colognein other towns
Central Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Norwood Young America
A−
413 students14:1Rate it →
Central Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Norwood Young America
C+
216 students16:1Rate it →
Central Senior High
High · Grades 9–12 · Norwood Young America
B−
337 students17:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Cologne Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8
A
Charter
679 students11:1Rate it →
STARS Building20
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
30 students18:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Cologne Academy Online).

Questions about Cologne’s schools

Are Cologne’s schools good?

By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Cologne children attend outscore 80% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Cologne in?

Central Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 966 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Cologne kids go to high school?

Central Senior High in Norwood Young America, with 337 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Cologne’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Central Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Cologne spend per student?

$14,390 in Central Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Cologne families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cologne → 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.