For the 2025 school year, there are 31 public middle schools serving 8,207 students in Stearns County, MN.
The top ranked public middle schools in Stearns County, MN are Sartell Middle School, Rocori Middle School and Albany Area Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stearns County, MN public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Stearns County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Stearns County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sartell Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
748 7th Street North
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-3710
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-3710
Gr: 6-8 | 976 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Rocori Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
534 N 5th Ave
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-8683
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-8683
Gr: 6-8 | 541 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Albany Area Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
30 Forest Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Gr: 6-8 | 470 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Beacon Program W Central Ed. Dist.
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Gr: PK-12 | 11 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #55.
West Central Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Gr: 6-12 | 29 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #66.
Kennedy Community School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1300 Jade Rd
Saint Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 370-7430
Saint Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 370-7430
Gr: PK-8 | 608 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Kimball Secondary
(Math: 37% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 W State Highway 55
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-7700
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-7700
Gr: 6-12 | 425 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
Holdingford Secondary
(Math: 38% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2221
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2221
Gr: 7-12 | 513 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Melrose Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
546 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Gr: 6-8 | 286 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1010.
Sauk Centre Secondary
(Math: 38% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
903 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2258
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2258
Gr: 7-12 | 620 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Roosevelt Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3015 3rd St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6890
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6890
Gr: K-12 | 11 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1212.
Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Secondary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
710 Washburn Ave
Belgrade, MN 56312
(320) 254-8211
Belgrade, MN 56312
(320) 254-8211
Gr: 6-12 | 317 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1313.
South Junior High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1120 15th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-7230
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-7230
Gr: 6-8 | 866 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1414.
Paynesville Area Secondary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
795 Business 23 W
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3761
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3761
Gr: 6-12 | 484 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1515.
North Junior High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1212 29th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7000
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7000
Gr: 6-8 | 701 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1616.
Stride Academy K-8 Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3241 Oakham Ln
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 230-5340
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 230-5340
Gr: K-8 | 588 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1717.
Katherine Johnson Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
713 Anderson Avenue North
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6897
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6897
Gr: K-12 | 65 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1818.
St. Cloud Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
216 N 8th Ave
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6790
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6790
Gr: 6-12 | 231 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1919.
Success Academy Saint Cloud
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
809 12th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(612) 876-3050
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(612) 876-3050
Gr: K-7 | 185 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Rank: n/an/a
180 Degrees / Youth Shelter
Alternative School
1101 Washington Memorial Dr
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-8020
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-8020
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Alc - Holdingford
Alternative School
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Alc - Kimball
Alternative School
100 W State Highway 55
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Bbe Learning Center
Alternative School
710 Washburn Ave
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Grafton School
Alternative School
224 Krays Mill Road
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Gr: K-12 | 12 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: n/an/a
Newport Academy
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6895
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6895
Gr: 7-12 | 9 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Rank: n/an/a
Rocori Alc
Alternative School
534 N 5th Ave
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4910
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4910
Gr: 7-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
534 5th Ave N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4908
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4908
Gr: 6-12 | 63 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
St. Cloud Hospital Programs Non-res
Alternative School
1406 6th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6895
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6895
Gr: PK-12 | 25 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
St. Cloud Hospital Progs-residential
Alternative School
1406 6th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 650-6895
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 650-6895
Gr: K-12 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: n/an/a
St. Cloud Math & Science Middle School
Charter School
1025 18th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 774-2201
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 774-2201
Gr: 6-8 | 85 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Special Education Facilities
Special Education School
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8000
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8000
Gr: PK-12 | 59 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Stearns County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Albany Area Schools Early Childhood (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
212 1st St Sw
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Gr: PK | 25 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Albany Middle Level Alc Programs (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
933 State Rd.
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Beacon Program Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
903 State Road S
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Gr: 3-8
Central Minnesota Jt. Powers Dist. (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
809 12th St N
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8007
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8007
Gr: 1-12
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8025
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8025
Gr: 6-12
Central Mn Alc - Cold Spring High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
534 5th Ave North
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Gr: 9-12
Central Mn Alc Holdingford High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Gr: 7-12
Central Mn Alc Kimball High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
100 Hwy 55 W
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Gr: 7-12
Central Mn Alc Sartell Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
212 3rd Ave N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Gr: 9-12
Central Mn T.s. Cold Spring (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
534 5th Avenue N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Central Mn T.s. Holdingford (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Central Mn T.s. Street Cloud (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
809 12th Street N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Central Mn Targeted Svcs. Kimball (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
Box 368
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Central Mn Targeted Svcs. Sartell (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
212 3rd Avenue N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Correctional Facility-sauk Centre (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
Box C
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-1100
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-1100
132 West Division St
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 258-3117
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 258-3117
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
216 8th Ave. N.
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 251-4481
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 251-4481
Gr: K-4 | 289 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
O.k House High School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1905 Minnesota Blvd
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-8811
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-8811
Gr: 7-12 | 4 students
Riverwoods School - Residential (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Gr: K-12 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 37%
Riverwoods School Non-residential (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Gr: K-12 | 26 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
3015 3rd St. N.
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 252-2351
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 252-2351
Gr: K-4 | 306 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
St. Cloud Alc High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
809 12th Street N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
St. Cloud Extended Day Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
809 12th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6795
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6795
Gr: 9-12
St. Cloud Group Home (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1101 Washington Memorial Dr
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Gr: 7-12 | 4 students
St. Cloud Social Justice Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2719 W Division St, Ste 111
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 980-7180
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 980-7180
Sartell Ec Service Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
212 3rd Ave N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 251-1284
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 251-1284
Gr: PK-K
933 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2285
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2285
Gr: 7-9 | 267 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Star Program (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
9 2nd Street Southwest
Melrose, MN 56352
(620) 256-7836
Melrose, MN 56352
(620) 256-7836
Gr: PK-1
Stride Academy Charter School (Closed 2016)
Charter School
1025 18th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Gr: K-5 | 295 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Targeted Services-stride Academy (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1025 18th Street North
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Gr: 1-8
West Central Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
903 State Road S
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Gr: K-8
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Stearns County, MN?
The top ranked public middle schools in Stearns County, MN include Sartell Middle School, Rocori Middle School and Albany Area Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Stearns County?
31 public middle schools are located in Stearns County.
What is the racial composition of students in Stearns County?
Stearns County public middle schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public middle schools average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Stearns County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Stearns County include: North Junior High School vs. Sartell Middle School, Sartell Middle School vs. North Junior High School, South Junior High School vs. Rocori Middle School
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