📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (MCA 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
12 Rated Districts in the St. Cloud, MN Metro Area
MCA 2024–25 · percentile among Minnesota districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sartell-St. Stephen School District | Sartell | 10/10 Excellent | 95th |
| #2 | Albany Public School District | Albany | 9/10 Excellent | 89th |
| #3 | Foley Public School District | Foley | 9/10 Excellent | 87th |
| #4 | Holdingford Public School District | Holdingford | 8/10 Good | 74th |
| #5 | Rocori Public School District | Cold Spring | 7/10 Good | 65th |
| #6 | Melrose Public School District | Melrose | 7/10 Good | 64th |
| #7 | Kimball Public School District | Kimball | 6/10 Average | 55th |
| #8 | Paynesville Public School District | Paynesville | 6/10 Average | 51st |
| #9 | Sauk Centre Public School District | Sauk Centre | 5/10 Average | 49th |
| #10 | Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Public School District | Belgrade | 5/10 Average | 48th |
| #11 | Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools | Sauk Rapids | 5/10 Average | 44th |
| #12 | St. Cloud Public School District | Waite Park | 3/10 Below Average | 22nd |
Best School Districts in the St. Cloud, MN Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from MCA 2024–25 (Minnesota) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the St. Cloud, MN metro area? ▼
Among the 12 rated districts in the St. Cloud, MN metro area, the highest-rated is Sartell-St. Stephen School District (Sartell), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 95th percentile of Minnesota districts on MCA 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.