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2013-0408-PaynesvilleKoronisCinemaPhoto: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0
C+
Schools in Paynesville · Paynesville Public School District

Paynesville’s public schools score below 56% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation

34% of students in Paynesville’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Paynesville, 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.

#227of 274 Minnesota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% 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
39%
▼ 12 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
34%
▼ 11 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 7–11 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.5K
▼ 21% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.5
MN 14.8
Schools in town
2
894 students on the public path
In brief

Paynesville’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1401 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Paynesville’s, its schools beat 31%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Paynesville’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,495 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 6 the district’s path is Paynesville Area Secondary School. Enrollment is up 29% since 2020–21. 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 Paynesville’s grade

C Test scoresB Graduation

C+: better than 44% of Minnesota school districts, #227 of 274 Minnesota towns. Graduation is above the Minnesota average; test scores are below it.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 44%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1401)Better than 31%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 448 test results and a graduating class of 62 could put Paynesville anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 92% of Paynesville’s students in the tested grades sat them (434 in math, 463 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Paynesville Area ElementaryPaynesville Public School DistrictB
6–12Paynesville Area Secondary SchoolPaynesville Public School DistrictC

Paynesville’s public schools are run by Paynesville Public School District, which also serves Irving, Lake Henry, Lake Henry and Munson 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.

Paynesville Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 894 students, up 29% since 2020–21 · 14.5 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$13,495MN $17,091 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 51.1% · 463 students tested
Math34%
State average 44.8% · 434 students tested

Paynesville vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PaynesvilleC+Paynesville Public

Every school in Paynesville

2 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 Paynesvilleby address
Paynesville Area Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
429 students14:1Rate it →
Paynesville Area Secondary School
High · Grades 6–12
C
465 students15:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (WCED 18-22 Program).

Questions about Paynesville’s schools

Are Paynesville’s schools good?

On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Paynesville children attend score below 56% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #227 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Paynesville in?

Paynesville Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 894 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

What is Paynesville’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Paynesville Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Paynesville spend per student?

$13,495 in Paynesville Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Paynesville families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Paynesville → 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.