Top Rankings
Southern Plains Education Cooperative 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 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 87 students in Southern Plains Education Cooperative School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Minnesota.
Public Middle Schools in Southern Plains Education Cooperative School District have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
4 Schools
999 Schools
# Students
104 Students
272,844 Students
# Teachers
14 Teachers
17,802 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Southern Plains Education Cooperative School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 520 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.
Overall District Rank
#474 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)≤10%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21-39%
41%
Graduation Rate
30%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.41
0.59
% American Indian
n/a
2%
% Asian
n/a
7%
% Hispanic
17%
11%
% Black
2%
12%
% White
75%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $64,577 is higher than the state median of $17,860. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $69,452 is higher than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$7 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$64,577
$17,860
Spending / Student
$69,452
$18,585
Best Southern Plains Education Cooperative School District Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: 8-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Southern Plains Bridges
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: K-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
Positive Approach To Learning
Special Education School
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: K-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Recent Articles
Gifted & Talented Programs in Public Schools
Explore opportunities and controversies in gifted & talented programs—equity, outcomes, and models shaping public education in 2025.
Evaluating STEM in Public Schools: A Parent & District Guide
A guide to evaluating STEM programs in public school districts—metrics, best practices, equity, and 2025 trends for parents and community stakeholders.
Special Education in Public Schools: Understanding IEPs & Services
What parents need to know about IEPs, services, rights, and how to get the best support in public schools in 2025.
