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Best Public Schools in Steele County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Steele County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 25 public schools serving 7,456 students in Steele County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 528 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Steele County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Steele County, MN are Lincoln Elementary School, Blooming Prairie Elementary School and Lonsdale Pre K-6. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Steele County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Steele County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Steele County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
747 Havana Rd
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8100
Gr: K-5 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Blooming Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
123 2nd St Nw
Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
(507) 583-4426
Gr: PK-4 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Lonsdale Pre K-6
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1000 Idaho St Sw
Hope, MN 56046
(507) 744-3900
Gr: PK-6 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
423 14th St. Ne
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8300
Gr: K-5 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
Nrheg Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
600 School St
Ellendale, MN 56026
(507) 684-3181
Gr: PK-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Choice Technical Academy
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
315 South Grove Ave
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 400-4009
Gr: 7-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Owatonna Alc 9-12
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8000
Gr: 9-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Owatonna Online 9-12
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8001
Gr: 9-12 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 136:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #99.
Owatonna Online K-6
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8064
Gr: K-6 | 14 students Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1010.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1050 22nd St. Ne
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8200
Gr: K-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1111.
Medford Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
750 2nd Ave Se
Medford, MN 55049
(507) 214-6312
Gr: PK-6 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1212.
Owatonna Senior High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1455 18th St Se
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,468 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1313.
Blooming Prairie High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
202 4th Ave Nw
Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
(507) 583-4426
Gr: 7-12 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1414.
Owatonna Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
500 15th St Ne
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8700
Gr: 6-8 | 1,015 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1515.
Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
325 Meadow Ln
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8400
Gr: K-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1616.
Owatonna Online 7-8
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8001
Gr: 7-8 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1717.
Medford Secondary
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
750 2nd Ave Se
Medford, MN 55049
(507) 214-6302
Gr: 7-12 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: n/an/a
Blooming Prairie Intermediate School
202 4th Ave Nw
Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
(507) 583-4426
Gr: 5-6 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Oec Elc
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8040
Gr: PK | 109 students Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
Out Of State Care And Treatment
Alternative School
333 E School St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8600
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Owatonna Ecse
Special Education School
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8040
Gr: PK | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
Owatonna Night School
Alternative School
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8000
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Owatonna Summer School 6-8
Alternative School
500 15th St Ne
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8702
Gr: 6-8
Rank: n/an/a
Owatonna Summer School 9-12
Alternative School
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8000
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Roosevelt Elc
122 E Mckinley St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-7900
Gr: PK | 32 students Minority enrollment: 22%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Steele County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Steele County, MN include Lincoln Elementary School, Blooming Prairie Elementary School and Lonsdale Pre K-6.
How many public schools are located in Steele County?
22 public schools are located in Steele County.
What percentage of students in Steele County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Steele County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Steele County?
Steele County public schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Steele County are often viewed compared to one another?

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