South Washington County Schools

7362 E Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016-3025
(District boundaries shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%

Top Rankings

South Washington County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 6,244 students in South Washington County Schools. This district's average high testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in Minnesota.
Public High Schools in South Washington County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Minnesota public high school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in South Washington County School have a Graduation Rate of 92%, which is more than the Minnesota average of 83%.
The school with highest graduation rate is East Ridge High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Minnesota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public high school average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
29 Schools
1,196 Schools
# Students
19,578 Students
313,662 Students
# Teachers
1,110 Teachers
18,833 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

South Washington County Schools, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 514 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has increased from 92% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MN)
#90 out of 525 school districts
(Top 20%)
53%
46%
57%
51%
47%
41%
93%
84%
(2022-23)
24.3%
27.3%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.63
0.59
% American Indian
n/a
2%
% Asian
14%
6%
% Hispanic
10%
12%
% Black
10%
12%
% White
57%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $15,823 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,758. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,298 is less than the state median of $18,479. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MN)
Total Revenue
$310 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$300 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,823
$17,758
Spending / Student
$15,298
$18,479

Best South Washington County Schools Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
East Ridge High School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4200 Pioneer Dr
Saint Paul, MN 55129
(651) 425-2301
Gr: 9-12 | 2,072 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
Woodbury High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2665 Woodlane Dr
Saint Paul, MN 55125
(651) 425-4409
Gr: 9-12 | 1,943 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #33.
South Washington Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8400 E Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-7001
Gr: 6-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
Park High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8040 80th St S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-3702
Gr: 9-12 | 1,992 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
Great Rivers Adult Education
Alternative School
8400 E Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-2341
Gr: 10-12 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: n/an/a
Next Step Transition Program
Special Education School
7155 80th St S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-5104
Gr: 12 | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Sowashco Online 9-12
1750 Weir Dr, Suite 6
Saint Paul, MN 55125
(651) 425-6356
Gr: 9-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 40%

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 29 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 19,578 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 43%
  • : 93% (Top 5% in MN)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 53% (Top 20%)
  • : 57% (Top 20%)
  • : 47% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education

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