Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0Cottage Grove’s public schools outscore 79% of Minnesota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Cottage Grove, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Cottage Grove’s districts is 51%, above the Minnesota average (45%). 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 94% 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.
Cottage Grove’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 999 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cottage Grove’s, its schools beat 73%, lower than their 79% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 57% and math 51% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,266 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Pine Harbor Christian Academy (private) is in town. 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 Cottage Grove’s grade
A−: better than 79% of Minnesota school districts, #93 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Minnesota average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cottage Grove, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Cottage Grove · depends on your address
Cottage Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,005 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Oltman Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 956 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Cottage Grove · depends on your address
Cottage Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,005 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Oltman Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 956 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Cottage Grove · depends on your address
Cottage Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,005 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Oltman Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 956 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Cottage Grove
Park High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,992 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Cottage Grove
Park High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,992 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Cottage Grove
Park High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,992 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Cottage Grove
Park High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,992 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Cottage Grove’s public schools are run by South Washington County School District, which also serves Grey Cloud Island, Newport, St. Paul Park and Woodbury. Parts of Cottage Grove (9% of its land) are served by Hastings Public instead. 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 above the state in reading
Cottage Grove vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Cottage Grove’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove | A− | South Washington County |
| Grey Cloud Island | — | South Washington County |
| Nininger | — | Hastings Public |
| St. Paul Park | A− | South Washington County |
| Denmark | B+ | Hastings Public |
| Rosemount | A− | Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan |
| Woodbury | A− | South Washington County |
| Inver Grove Heights | B+ | Inver Grove Heights Schools PK–12 · Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan PK–12 |
3 of the 7 neighbors share South Washington County with Cottage Grove, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Cottage Grove
13 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 (Great Rivers Adult Education and SoWashCo Online K-5).
Questions about Cottage Grove’s schools
Are Cottage Grove’s schools good?
By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Cottage Grove children attend outscore 79% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #93 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cottage Grove in?
South Washington County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,578 students in 28 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Cottage Grove are served by Hastings Public.
Where do Cottage Grove kids go to high school?
Park High School, with 1,992 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Cottage Grove’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in South Washington County School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Cottage Grove spend per student?
$15,266 in South Washington County School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Cottage Grove?
Yes: Pine Harbor Christian Academy (religious, grades K–8, 149 students).
Parents talk
What Cottage Grove families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cottage Grove → 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.