Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0St. Paul’s public schools score below 79% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
In St. Paul, 25% 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 86% 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. Paul’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1351 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of St. Paul’s, its schools beat 3%, lower than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 86% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
68% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $23,301 per student in FY2024, against $17,091 across Minnesota. 21% of its revenue that year was federal (Minnesota 8%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
38 elementary schools, then 14 middle and nine high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Metro Deaf School, Community of Peace Academy Elem, Community of Peace Academy High Sch, Community of Peace Academy Middle, Achieve Language Academy, HGA Elementary, HGA Secondary, HGA Junior High, ST. Paul City Primary School, ST. Paul City Middle School, St. Paul City High School, Jennings Community School, LIFE Prep, Face to Face Academy, High School for Recording Arts, Academia Cesar Chavez Elementary, Academia Cesar Chavez Middle School, Avalon School, Avalon Middle School, HOPE Community Academy Elementary, HOPE Community Academy Middle, HOPE Community Academy High School, Twin Cities Academy, Twin Cities German Immersion Chrtr, Midway Star Academy, Laura Jeffrey Academy Charter, Community School of Excellence Elem, Community School of Excellence High, Community School of Excellence - MS, Nova Classical Academy Lower School, Nova Classical Academy Upper School, Hmong College Prep Academy MS, Hmong College Prep Academy HS, Hmong College Prep Academy ES, Great River School, Great River Elementary School, St. Paul Conservatory Performing Art, Urban Academy, STEP Academy Charter School, STEP Academy Elementary, Cornerstone Montessori Elementary, Prodeo Academy St. Paul Primary, Prodeo Academy St. Paul Elementary, Prodeo Academy St. Paul Middle, MMSA Elementary School, MMSA Secondary School, Career Pathways, New Century School, New Century School Secondary, The Journey School, Quantum STEAM Academy Elementary, Quantum STEAM Academy Middle School, St. Paul School of Northern Lights, City Academy, St. Paul Academy & Summit School (private), Nativity of Our Lord School (private), Highland Catholic School (private), St. Thomas More School (private), Holy Spirit School (private), Sunny Hollow Montessori (private), Nativity Early Learning Center K-8 School (private), Friends School of Minnesota (private), Maternity of Mary - St. Andrew School (private), St. Pascal Regional Catholic School (private), Christ's Household of Faith School (private), St. Peter Claver School (private), Primrose School of ST. Paul at Merriam Park (private), Cathedral Hill Montessori School (private), Jean Lyle Childrens Center (private), Highland Park Montessori School (private), Lubavitch Cheder Day School (private) and Children's Center Montessori Inc. (private) are in town. Minnesota Connections Academy 7-12, Minnesota Connections Academy K-6, Minnesota Online High School, Saint Paul Online High School, Saint Paul Online Middle School and Saint Paul Online Elementary School, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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. Paul’s grade
C−: better than 21% of Minnesota school districts, last of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve St. Paul, with each school’s own grade.
St. Paul’s public schools are run by St. Paul Public 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.
Well below the state in reading
St. Paul vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share St. Paul’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | C− | St. Paul Public |
| Maplewood | C | North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale |
| Minneapolis | C | Minneapolis Public |
| Lilydale | — | West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan |
| South St. Paul | C | South St. Paul Public |
| Falcon Heights | B− | Roseville Public |
| Roseville | B− | Roseville Public |
| Mendota Heights | B | West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan |
| West St. Paul | B | West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan |
| Mendota | — | West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan |
Every school in St. Paul
146 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: 33 public programs with fewer than 25 students (MN Online High School - I.S., Jennings Online Program, Face to Face Academy Online, HSRA Online, Online High School, HOPEStart Pre-K Program, Cse - Oll Ec-5, Cse - Oll HS, Cse - Oll 6-8, MNIC Online East Campus, NCS Online Program, The Journey School Middle, Water Lily Montessori, St. Paul Northern Lights Secondary, City Academy Online, Home/Hospital Instruction, Early Childhood Intervention Serv, United Hospital Adolescent Program, Juvenile Service Center, Early Education Ben Mays/Rondo, ALC Evening High School, Resident Student/Out of State, Shared Time Nonpublic, ALC Extended Day 9-12, ALC On Track, Anna Westin House, ALC Summer Learning Programs 9-12, ALC Online School, Brittany's Place, Early Learning Hub West, ALC Credit Recovery, Barack and Michelle Obama Middle and Delta Academy Elementary). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about St. Paul’s schools
Are St. Paul’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools St. Paul children attend score below 79% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is St. Paul in?
St. Paul Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 33,041 students in 77 schools (2024–25).
Where do St. Paul kids go to high school?
One of 9 high schools, depending on your address: Central Senior High, Harding Senior High, Highland Park Senior High, Johnson Senior High, Washington Technology Senior High, Como Park Senior High, Humboldt High School, Open World Learning Secondary and Creative Arts Secondary School.
What is St. Paul’s graduation rate?
68% of the class of 2023 in St. Paul Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does St. Paul spend per student?
$23,301 in St. Paul Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in St. Paul?
Yes: St. Paul Academy & Summit School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 890 students), Nativity of Our Lord School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 710 students), Highland Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 446 students), St. Thomas More School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 317 students), Holy Spirit School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 230 students), Sunny Hollow Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 167 students), Nativity Early Learning Center K-8 School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 151 students), Friends School of Minnesota (religious, grades K–8, 135 students), Maternity of Mary - St. Andrew School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 126 students), St. Pascal Regional Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 123 students), Christ's Household of Faith School (religious, grades PK–12, 118 students), St. Peter Claver School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 100 students), Primrose School of ST. Paul at Merriam Park (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 50 students), Cathedral Hill Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 47 students), Jean Lyle Childrens Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 38 students), Highland Park Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 34 students), Lubavitch Cheder Day School (religious, grades K–7, 27 students) and Children's Center Montessori Inc. (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 19 students). St. Paul also has 54 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What St. Paul families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near St. Paul → 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.