For the 2026-27 school year, there are 21 public preschools serving 7,331 students in Stearns County, MN.
The top-ranked public preschools in Stearns County, MN are Holdingford Elementary School, Oak Ridge Early Learning Center and Avon Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stearns County, MN public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the Minnesota public pre school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 48% statewide average). Pre schools in Stearns County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public preschool average of 43% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Preschools in Stearns County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Holdingford Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-4462
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-4462
Gr: PK-6 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Oak Ridge Early Learning Center
(Math: 81% | Reading: 71% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1111 27th St N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 258-3693
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 258-3693
Gr: PK-K | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Avon Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
410 Avon Ave N
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5300
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5300
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Kimball Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
405 Hazel Ave E
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5425
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5425
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5800 Ridgewood Rd
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7630
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7630
Gr: PK-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
Melrose Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
566 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Gr: PK-5 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
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 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #88.
Paynesville Area Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 W Mill St
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3725
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3725
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Cold Spring Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
601 Red River Ave N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-7534
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-7534
Gr: PK-5 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1010.
Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
245 School Avenue
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Gr: PK-5 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
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-9 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1212.
Oak Hill Community Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 County Road 136
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6000
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6000
Gr: PK-5 | 878 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1313.
Sauk Centre Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
901 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6521
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6521
Gr: PK-4 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2805 9th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6330
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6330
Gr: PK-5 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1515.
Discovery Community Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
700 7th St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6180
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6180
Gr: PK-5 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
300 3rd Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Gr: PK-K | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Educational District Ec
Special Education School
517 2nd St. South
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 252-8427
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 252-8427
Gr: PK | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Ec Sp Educational At Quarryview Educational Center
Special Education School
800 7th St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8261
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8261
Gr: PK | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
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 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
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
Rank: n/an/a
West Central Education District B-2
Special Education School
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Gr: PK | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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
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 preschools in Stearns County, MN?
The top-ranked public preschools in Stearns County, MN include Holdingford Elementary School, Oak Ridge Early Learning Center and Avon Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Stearns County?
20 public preschools are located in Stearns County.
What is the racial composition of students in Stearns County?
Stearns County public preschools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public preschools average of 43% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public preschools in Stearns County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Stearns County include: Kennedy Community School vs. Westwood Elementary School, Paynesville Area Elementary School vs. Sauk Centre Elementary School, Oak Hill Community Elementary School vs. Westwood Elementary School
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