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 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 87 students in Southern Plains Education Coop. 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 Coop. 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
1,003 Schools
# Students
104 Students
272,988 Students
# Teachers
14 Teachers
17,811 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Southern Plains Education Coop. 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 $17,854. 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 $18,580. 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
$17,854
Spending / Student
$69,452
$18,580
Best Southern Plains Education Coop. 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
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
