Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0Mankato’s public schools outscore 59% of Minnesota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Mankato, 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.
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.
Mankato’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 48% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,453 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Kato Public Charter School, Loyola Catholic School (private), Mount Olive Lutheran School (private), Immanuel Lutheran School (private), Risen Savior Lutheran School (private), Grace Christian School (private) and Mankato Christian Academy (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.
What’s behind Mankato’s grade
B: better than 59% of Minnesota school districts, #181 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores are above the Minnesota average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Mankato, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Mankato · depends on your address
Franklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 388 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Kennedy Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 347 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Mankato Schools Center for Learning
Grades PK · 165 students
6th grade in Mankato
Prairie Winds Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 887 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Mankato
Prairie Winds Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 887 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Mankato
Prairie Winds Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 887 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Mankato · depends on your address
Mankato East Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,302 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Mankato West Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Mankato · depends on your address
Mankato East Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,302 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Mankato West Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Mankato · depends on your address
Mankato East Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,302 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Mankato West Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Mankato · depends on your address
Mankato East Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,302 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Mankato West Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Mankato’s public schools are run by Mankato Public School District, which also serves Belgrade, Eagle Lake, Jamestown and Le Ray 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.
Above the state in reading
Mankato vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Mankato’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mankato | B | Mankato Public |
| Lime | — | Mankato Public |
| North Mankato | B | Mankato Public |
| Skyline | — | Mankato Public |
| Belgrade | B | Mankato Public PK–12 · Nicollet Public PK–12 |
| South Bend | B | Mankato Public PK–12 · Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial PK–12 |
| Kasota | B+ | St. Peter Public |
5 of the 6 neighbors share Mankato Public with Mankato, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Mankato
19 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: 8 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Life Lines Adult Connection, Central Freedom School, Mankato Area Night School, Mankato Area Summer School, Prairie Care Mankato, Central Middle School ALC, Mankato Area Public Schools Online and Insite).
Questions about Mankato’s schools
Are Mankato’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Minnesota: the public schools Mankato children attend outscore 59% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #181 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mankato in?
Mankato Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,219 students in 22 schools (2024–25).
Where do Mankato kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Mankato East Senior High and Mankato West Senior High.
What is Mankato’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Mankato Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Mankato spend per student?
$14,453 in Mankato Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Mankato?
Yes: Loyola Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 599 students), Mount Olive Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 216 students), Immanuel Lutheran School (religious, grades K–12, 122 students), Risen Savior Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 81 students), Grace Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 31 students) and Mankato Christian Academy (religious, grades 9–12, 15 students). Mankato also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Mankato families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mankato → 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.