Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0St. Cloud’s public schools score below 78% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
In St. Cloud, 28% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving St. 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 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.
St. Cloud’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 916 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of St. Cloud’s, its schools beat 4%, lower than their 22% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
64% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,140 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Stride Academy K-8 Charter School, Saint Cloud Math and Science Academ, St. Cloud Math & Science Middle, Success Academy St. Cloud Elem, Success Academy St. Cloud - Middle, Athlos Academy of Saint Cloud, Cathedral (private), St. Cloud Christian School (private), St. Katharine Drexel School (private), Prince of Peace Lutheran School (private), All Saints Academy (private), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (private), St. Robert Bellarmine Academy (private), Calvary Classical Academy (private), Children's Day Montessori School (private), Whole Child Montessori School (private) and Granite City Baptist 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 St. Cloud’s grade
C−: better than 22% of Minnesota school districts, #270 of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve St. Cloud, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in St. Cloud · depends on your address
South Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 831 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
North Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 720 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
7th grade in St. Cloud · depends on your address
South Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 831 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
North Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 720 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
8th grade in St. Cloud · depends on your address
South Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 831 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
North Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 720 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
9th grade in St. Cloud · depends on your address
Technical Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
Apollo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,264 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
10th grade in St. Cloud · depends on your address
Technical Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
Apollo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,264 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
11th grade in St. Cloud · depends on your address
Technical Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
Apollo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,264 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
12th grade in St. Cloud · depends on your address
Technical Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,561 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
Apollo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,264 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Saint Cloud
St. Cloud’s public schools are run by St. Cloud Public School District. Parts of St. Cloud (4% of its land) are served by Sauk Rapids-Rice instead. 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.
Well below the state in reading
St. Cloud vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share St. Cloud’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | C− | St. Cloud Public |
| Minden | B | Sauk Rapids-Rice |
| Haven | C− | St. Cloud Public |
| Waite Park | C− | St. Cloud Public |
| Le Sauk | A | Sartell-St. Stephen |
| St. Augusta | C− | St. Cloud Public |
| Sauk Rapids | B | Sauk Rapids-Rice |
| Sartell | A | Sartell-St. Stephen |
| Clear Lake | C | St. Cloud Public PK–12 · Becker Public PK–12 |
| Sauk Rapids Township | — | Sauk Rapids-Rice |
| Lynden | C | St. Cloud Public PK–12 · Annandale Public PK–12 |
| St. Joseph | — | St. Cloud Public |
| St. Joseph (city) | C− | St. Cloud Public |
7 of the 12 neighbors share St. Cloud Public with St. Cloud, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in St. Cloud
27 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 (STRIDE Virtual Academy, MN Correctional Facility-ST. Cloud, ST. Cloud Hospital Programs Non-Res, Roosevelt Education Center, St Cloud Hospital Progs-Residential, Newport Academy, 180 Degrees / Youth Shelter and Grandview Academy Elementary).
Questions about St. Cloud’s schools
Are St. Cloud’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools St. Cloud children attend score below 78% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #270 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is St. Cloud in?
St. Cloud Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,803 students in 22 schools (2024–25). Small parts of St. Cloud are served by Sauk Rapids-Rice.
Where do St. Cloud kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Technical Senior High and Apollo Senior High.
What is St. Cloud’s graduation rate?
64% of the class of 2023 in St. Cloud Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does St. Cloud spend per student?
$17,140 in St. Cloud Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in St. Cloud?
Yes: Cathedral (Catholic, grades 6–12, 562 students), St. Cloud Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 260 students), St. Katharine Drexel School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 205 students), Prince of Peace Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 188 students), All Saints Academy (Catholic, grades K–5, 168 students), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 114 students), St. Robert Bellarmine Academy (Catholic, grades K–12, 97 students), Calvary Classical Academy (religious, grades K–10, 64 students), Children's Day Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 45 students), Whole Child Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 26 students) and Granite City Baptist Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 22 students). St. Cloud also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What St. Cloud families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near St. Cloud → 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.