Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to St. James

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
WatonwonCountyCourthousePhoto: Jatakuck · CC BY-SA 3.0
C+
Schools in St. James · St. James Public School District

St. James’s public schools score below 56% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving St. 44% of students in St. James’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Minnesota average (51%). 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 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
44%
▼ 7 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
42%
▼ 3 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 1–3 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.6K
▼ 21% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.2
MN 14.8 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
1,133 students on the public path
In brief

St. James’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 858 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of St. James’s, its schools beat 35%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% 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 St. James’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,582 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 St. James Middle/High School. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Pauls Lutheran 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 St. James’s grade

C+ Test scoresC Graduation

C+: better than 44% of Minnesota school districts, #227 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 44%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (858)Better than 35%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 547 test results and a graduating class of 80 could put St. James anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of St. James’s students in the tested grades sat them (541 in math, 553 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5ST. James Northside ElementarySt. James Public School DistrictC+
6–12St. James Middle/High SchoolSt. James Public School DistrictC

St. James’s public schools are run by St. James Public School District, which also serves Adrian, Albin, La Salle and Long Lake 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.

St. James Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,143 students, up 10% since 2020–21 · 14.2 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$13,582MN $17,091 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 51.1% · 553 students tested
Math42%
State average 44.8% · 541 students tested

St. James vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
St. JamesC+St. James Public
St. James Township—St. James Public
Rosendale—St. James Public

All 2 neighbors share St. James Public with St. James, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in St. James

4 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 St. Jamesby address
Armstrong School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK · Saint James
65 students27:1Rate it →
ST. James Northside Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Saint James
C+
502 students13:1Rate it →
St. James Middle/High School
High · Grades 6–12 · Saint James
C
566 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Pauls Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Saint James
Private · Religious
56 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (ST. James Early Childhood).

Questions about St. James’s schools

Are St. James’s schools good?

On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools St. James 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 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is St. James in?

St. James Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,143 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

What is St. James’s graduation rate?

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

How much does St. James spend per student?

$13,582 in St. James Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in St. James?

Yes: St. Pauls Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 56 students).

Parents talk

What St. James families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near St. James → 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.