For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 1,949 students in Cottonwood County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 178 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Cottonwood County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Cottonwood County, MN are Swwc Alc - Windom, Windom Area Elementary School and Mountain Lake Secondary. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cottonwood County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Cottonwood County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cottonwood County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Swwc Alc - Windom
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1454 6th Ave
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 537-2258
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 537-2258
Grades: 9-12
| 53 students
Rank: #22.
Windom Area Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1200 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6925
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6925
Grades: PK-4
| 447 students
Rank: #33.
Mountain Lake Secondary
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
450 12th St N
Mountain Lake, MN 56159
(507) 427-2325
Mountain Lake, MN 56159
(507) 427-2325
Grades: 7-12
| 240 students
Rank: #44.
Mountain Lake Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
450 12th St N
Mountain Lake, MN 56159
(507) 427-2325
Mountain Lake, MN 56159
(507) 427-2325
Grades: PK-6
| 269 students
Rank: #55.
Windom Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Grades: 5-8
| 352 students
Rank: #66.
Westbrook-walnut Grove Secondary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
344 8th St
Westbrook, MN 56183
(507) 274-5450
Westbrook, MN 56183
(507) 274-5450
Grades: 7-12
| 189 students
Rank: #77.
Windom Senior High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Grades: 9-12
| 341 students
Rank: #88.
Swwc Elc - Windom
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1454 6th Ave
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6935
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6935
Grades: K-12
| 48 students
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Learning Center
Special Education School
68 10th St, Highland Building
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6940
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6940
Grades: PK
| 10 students
Rank: n/an/a
Out-of-state Care And Treatment
Alternative School
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6901
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6901
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1012 5th Avenue
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1454 6th Ave N
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Swwc Alc Midlevel - Windom
Alternative School
1454 6th Ave
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Grades: 7-8
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Windom Learn Center Credit Recovery
Alternative School
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Cottonwood County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Des Moines River Vly. Tele-media (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
Box C-177, Hwy 71 N
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6950
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6950
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Red Rock Ridge - Sun (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
68 10th Street
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 215-1593
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 215-1593
Grades: K-12
| 4 students
Redwood County Tele-network (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
Box C-177, Hwy 71 North
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-5841
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-5841
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Swwc Center For Transition And Care (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
68 10th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 537-2258
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 537-2258
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Box 128
Westbrook, MN 56183
(507) 274-5500
Westbrook, MN 56183
(507) 274-5500
Grades: PK-5
| 87 students
Box C-177 1400 W 17th Street
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Grades: 9-12
| 318 students
1454 6th Ave
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6925
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6925
Grades: PK-3
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Cottonwood County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Cottonwood County, MN include Swwc Alc - Windom, Windom Area Elementary School and Mountain Lake Secondary.
How many public schools are located in Cottonwood County?
14 public schools are located in Cottonwood County.
What percentage of students in Cottonwood County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Cottonwood County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cottonwood County?
Cottonwood County public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
