Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Fairmont

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Fairmont MN 1Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Fairmont · Fairmont Area School District

Fairmont’s public schools outscore 54% of Minnesota districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Fairmont, 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.

#199of 274 Minnesota townsK–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
49%
▼ 2 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
41%
▼ 4 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 2–6 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.4K
▼ 15% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.0
MN 14.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
1,846 students on the public path
In brief

Fairmont’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 41% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Fairmont’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,446 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 Fairmont JR./SR. High School. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Paul Lutheran School (private), St. John Vianney School (private) and Fairmont Christian School (private) are 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fairmont’s grade

B− Test scoresB− Graduation

B−: better than 54% of Minnesota school districts, #199 of 274 Minnesota towns. Graduation is above the Minnesota average; test scores are below it.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 54%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (575)Better than 51%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 880 test results and a graduating class of 135 could put Fairmont anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Fairmont’s students in the tested grades sat them (874 in math, 886 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–6Fairmont Elementary SchoolFairmont Area School DistrictB
7–12Fairmont JR./SR. High SchoolFairmont Area School DistrictB−

Fairmont’s public schools are run by Fairmont Area School District, which also serves Ceylon, Fairmont, Fraser and Lake Belt 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.

Fairmont Area School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 1,846 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 17.0 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$14,446MN $17,091 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading49%
State average 51.1% · 886 students tested
Math41%
State average 44.8% · 874 students tested

Fairmont vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FairmontB−Fairmont Area
Rolling Green—Fairmont Area PK–12 · Martin County West K–12
Fairmont Township—Fairmont Area PK–12 · Granada-Huntley-East Chain PK–12
Rutland—Fairmont Area PK–12 · Granada-Huntley-East Chain PK–12
Fraser—Fairmont Area PK–12 · Martin County West K–12

All 4 neighbors share Fairmont Area with Fairmont, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Fairmont

6 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 Fairmontby address
Fairmont Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
B
1,007 students15:1Rate it →
Fairmont JR./SR. High School
High · Grades 7–12
B−
839 students20:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Fairmontrun by other districts or the state
Southern Plains Area Learning CNTR.
High · Grades 8–12
C−
Alternative Education
47 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Paul Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
99 students13:1Rate it →
St. John Vianney School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Catholic
82 students9:1Rate it →
Fairmont Christian School
Elementary · Grades K–6
Private · Religious
50 students9:1Rate it →

Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Southern Plains Education Coop., Positive Approach to Learning and Southern Plains Bridges).

Questions about Fairmont’s schools

Are Fairmont’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Minnesota: the public schools Fairmont children attend outscore 54% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #199 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 51%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fairmont in?

Fairmont Area School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,846 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

What is Fairmont’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Fairmont Area School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Fairmont spend per student?

$14,446 in Fairmont Area School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Fairmont?

Yes: St. Paul Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 99 students), St. John Vianney School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 82 students) and Fairmont Christian School (religious, grades K–6, 50 students).

Parents talk

What Fairmont families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fairmont → 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.