Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Independence

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
A+
Schools in Independence · Delano Public School District, Orono Public School District

Independence’s public schools outscore 98% of Minnesota districts

70% of students in Independence’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Independence, 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.

#1of 274 Minnesota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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
73%
▲ 22 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
70%
▲ 25 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
98%
▲ 15 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.4K
▼ 10% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024 · Orono Public
Students per teacher
17.7
MN 14.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
0
3,233 students on the public path
In brief

Independence’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 72 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Independence’s, its schools beat 88%, lower than their 98% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 73% and math 70% across both districts in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Delano Public spends $12,656 per student and Orono Public $15,366, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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 Independence’s grade

A+ Test scoresA+ Graduation

A+: better than 98% of Minnesota school districts, #1 of 274 Minnesota towns. 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 98%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (72)Better than 88%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,712 test results and a graduating class of 245 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Independence’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,681 in math, 2,742 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–32 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA+
6–122 schoolsDepends on your addressA

Independence runs its own schools through grade 12 (Delano Public School District). From grade PK, students attend the Orono Public School District, shared with Long Lake, Maple Plain, Medina, Orono and Village of Minnetonka Beach. Its elementary school is in Delano. Parts of Independence (9% and 3% of its land) are served by Westonka Public and Rockford Public instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Independence

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Delano Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 2,457 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 18.4 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$12,656MN $17,091 · FY2024
A+
Orono Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 2,987 students, up 3% since 2022–23 · 17.3 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$15,366MN $17,091 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Delano Public School District74%
State average 51.1% · 1245 students tested
Math · PK–12, Delano Public School District73%
State average 44.8% · 1226 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Orono Public School District73%
State average 51.1% · 1497 students tested
Math · PK–12, Orono Public School District68%
State average 44.8% · 1455 students tested

Independence vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IndependenceA+Delano Public PK–12 · Orono Public PK–12
Maple PlainA+Orono Public
FranklinA+Delano Public
MinnetristaAWestonka Public PK–12 · Watertown-Mayer Public PK–12
GreenfieldB+Rockford Public
MedinaA+Orono Public PK–12 · Wayzata Public PK–12

2 of the 5 neighbors share Orono Public with Independence for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Independence

4 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 Independencein other towns
Delano Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3 · Delano
A+
744 students16:1Rate it →
Schumann Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–2 · Long Lake
611 students15:1Rate it →
Orono Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Long Lake
A
720 students20:1Rate it →
Delano High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Delano
A
1,158 students22:1Rate it →

Questions about Independence’s schools

Are Independence’s schools good?

By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Independence children attend outscore 98% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #1 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Independence in?

Two districts: Delano Public School District runs grades PK–12, and Orono Public School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Long Lake, Maple Plain, Medina, Orono and Village of Minnetonka Beach.

What is Independence’s graduation rate?

98% of the class of 2023 in Orono Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Independence spend per student?

$12,656 in Delano Public School District and $15,366 in Orono Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Independence families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Independence → 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.