Southern Plains Education Coop. School District

1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031-8888
1/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Southern Plains Education Coop. School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 94 students in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.
Public Schools in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
4 Schools
2,772 Schools
# Students
94 Students
875,799 Students
# Teachers
15 Teachers
57,030 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
6:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Southern Plains Education Coop. School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 515 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 30% has increased from 21-39% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MN)
#474 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(21-22)
≤10%
45%
20-29%
51%
21-39%
41%
30%
84%
(2022-23)
100%
27.3%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.52
0.60
% American Indian
n/a
2%
% Asian
n/a
7%
% Hispanic
25%
12%
% Black
3%
12%
% White
65%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
7%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $71,447 is higher than the state median of $17,752. The school district revenue/student has grown by 27% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $76,840 is higher than the state median of $18,474. The school district spending/student has declined by 15% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MN)
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$7 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$71,447
$17,752
Spending / Student
$76,840
$18,474

Best Southern Plains Education Coop. School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: 8-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Southern Plains Bridges
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: K-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
Positive Approach To Learning
Special Education School
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: K-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: n/an/a
Southern Plains Education Coop.
Special Education School
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: PK-K | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District manages 4 public schools serving 94 students.
What is the rank of Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District is ranked #416 out of 515 school districts in Minnesota (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Minnesota school districts for: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
65% of Southern Plains Education Coop. School District students are White, 25% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District has a student/teacher ratio of 6:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.
What is Southern Plains Education Coop. School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $76,840 is higher than the state median of $18,474. The school district spending/student has declined by 15% over four school years.

Recent Articles

How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 4 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 94 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 35%
  • : 30% (Btm 50% in MN)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : ≤10% (Btm 50%)
  • : 20-29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 21-39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education

Quick Links