Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Pipestone

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
Calumet HotelCalumet Hotel · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Pipestone · Pipestone Area School District

Pipestone’s public schools score below 55% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Pipestone, 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.

#224of 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
48%
▼ 3 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
40%
▼ 5 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 1–3 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.4K
▼ 10% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
MN 14.8 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
1,126 students on the public path
In brief

Pipestone’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1140 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pipestone’s, its schools beat 35%, lower than their 45% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 40% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Pipestone’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,364 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 Pipestone Middle, then Pipestone Senior High. Enrollment is up 27% 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 Pipestone’s grade

B− Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 45% of Minnesota school districts, #224 of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 45%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1140)Better than 35%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 545 test results and a graduating class of 78 could put Pipestone anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Pipestone’s students in the tested grades sat them (529 in math, 561 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Pipestone ElementaryPipestone Area School DistrictB
6–8Pipestone MiddlePipestone Area School DistrictC
9–12Pipestone Senior HighPipestone Area School DistrictC−

Pipestone’s public schools are run by Pipestone Area 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.

Pipestone Area School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,138 students, up 27% since 2020–21 · 13.2 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$15,364MN $17,091 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading48%
State average 51.1% · 561 students tested
Math40%
State average 44.8% · 529 students tested

Pipestone vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PipestoneB−Pipestone Area
Sweet—Pipestone Area
Gray—Pipestone Area

All 2 neighbors share Pipestone Area with Pipestone, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Pipestone

5 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 Pipestoneby address
Pipestone Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
580 students13:1Rate it →
Pipestone Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
244 students14:1Rate it →
Pipestone Senior High
High · Grades 9–12
C−
302 students13:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Pipestonerun by other districts or the state
SWWC ELC - Pipestone
Grades K–12
C−
Special Education
26 students4:1Rate it →
SWWC ALC - Pipestone
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
39 students20:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Pipestone Learning Center and SWWC ALC Midlevel - Pipestone).

Questions about Pipestone’s schools

Are Pipestone’s schools good?

On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Pipestone children attend score below 55% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #224 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Pipestone in?

Pipestone Area School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,138 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Pipestone kids go to high school?

Pipestone Senior High, with 302 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Pipestone’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Pipestone Area School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Pipestone spend per student?

$15,364 in Pipestone Area School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Pipestone families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pipestone → 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.