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Minneapolis Trust Company Commercial BuildingPhoto: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0
C+
Schools in Sandstone · East Central School District

Sandstone’s public schools score below 65% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation

On the state reading tests, 41% of Sandstone’s students scored proficient, below the Minnesota average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Sandstone, 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.

#248of 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
41%
▼ 10 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
36%
▼ 9 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75–79%
▼ 4–8 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.6K
▼ 14% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.2
MN 14.8 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
700 students on the public path
In brief

Sandstone’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 528 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sandstone’s, its schools beat 20%, lower than their 35% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Sandstone’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,614 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 7 the district’s path is East Central Senior Secondary. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Harvest Christian School (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Sandstone’s grade

C+ Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 35% of Minnesota school districts, #248 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 35%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (528)Better than 20%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 372 test results and a graduating class of 63 could put Sandstone anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Sandstone’s students in the tested grades sat them (364 in math, 380 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–6East Central Elementaryin FinlaysonC+
7–12East Central Senior Secondaryin FinlaysonC−

Sandstone’s public schools are run by East 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.

East Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 732 students · 14.2 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$14,614MN $17,091 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading41%
State average 51.1% · 380 students tested
Math36%
State average 44.8% · 364 students tested

Sandstone vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SandstoneC+East Central
Sandstone Township—East Central

Every school in Sandstone

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).

Also serving Sandstonein other towns
East Central Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Finlayson
C+
391 students14:1Rate it →
East Central Senior Secondary
High · Grades 7–12 · Finlayson
C−
309 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Harvest Christian School
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
60 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Sandstone’s schools

Are Sandstone’s schools good?

On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sandstone children attend score below 65% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #248 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 20%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Sandstone in?

East Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 732 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

What is Sandstone’s graduation rate?

75–79% of the class of 2023 in East Central School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Sandstone spend per student?

$14,614 in East Central School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Sandstone?

Yes: Harvest Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 60 students).

Parents talk

What Sandstone families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sandstone → 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.