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CourthouseJacksonCountyMinnesota2007Photo: Jonathunder · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Jackson · Jackson County Central School District

Jackson’s public schools outscore 65% of Minnesota districts

98% of Jackson’s students graduate on time, above the Minnesota average (83%). The grade covers the public school district serving Jackson, 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.

#149of 274 Minnesota townsK–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
45%
▼ 6 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
43%
▼ 2 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 12–17 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.2K
▼ 17% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.7
MN 14.8
Schools in town
2
923 students on the public path
In brief

Jackson’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 43% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Jackson’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,183 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 Jackson County Central Middle, then Jackson County 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 Jackson’s grade

B− Test scoresA Graduation

B+: better than 65% of Minnesota school districts, #149 of 274 Minnesota towns. Graduation is above the Minnesota average; test scores are below it.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 65%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1238)Better than 67%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 526 test results and a graduating class of 92 could put Jackson anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Jackson’s students in the tested grades sat them (537 in math, 516 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–3Riverside ElementaryJackson County Central School DistrictA−
6–8Jackson County Central Middlein LakefieldC+
9–12Jackson County Central Senior HighJackson County Central School DistrictC

Jackson’s public schools are run by Jackson County Central 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.

Jackson County Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,093 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 14.7 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$14,183MN $17,091 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading45%
State average 51.1% · 516 students tested
Math43%
State average 44.8% · 537 students tested

Jackson vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
JacksonB+Jackson County Central
Des Moines—Jackson County Central
Wisconsin—Jackson County Central

All 2 neighbors share Jackson County Central with Jackson, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Jackson

3 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 Jacksonby address
Riverside Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3
A−
350 students13:1Rate it →
Jackson County Central Senior High
High · Grades 9–12
C
332 students16:1Rate it →
Also serving Jacksonin other towns
Jackson County Central Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Lakefield
C+
241 students16:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Jackson Co Central Credit Recovery).

Questions about Jackson’s schools

Are Jackson’s schools good?

By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Jackson children attend outscore 65% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #149 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Jackson in?

Jackson County Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,093 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Jackson kids go to high school?

Jackson County Central Senior High, with 332 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Jackson’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Jackson spend per student?

$14,183 in Jackson County Central School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Jackson families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Jackson → 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.