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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cottage Grove Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 7,632 students in Cottage Grove, MN (there are 1 private school, serving 101 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Cottage Grove, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cottage Grove, MN are Cottage Grove Elementary School, Grey Cloud Elementary School and Hillside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cottage Grove, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Cottage Grove have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cottage Grove, MN (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cottage Grove Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7447 65th St S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-5801
Gr: PK-5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #22.
Grey Cloud Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
9525 Indian Blvd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-4201
Gr: K-5 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
8177 Hillside Tr S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-4001
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #44.
Armstrong Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8855 Inwood Ave S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-4101
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #55.
Crestview Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
7830 80th St S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-3801
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #66.
Pine Hill Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
9015 Hadley Ave S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-3901
Gr: K-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Cottage Grove Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
9775 Indian Blvd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-6804
Gr: 6-8 | 1,005 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Oltman Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6625 Goodview Avenue
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-3509
Gr: 6-8 | 956 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #99.
South Washington Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8400 E Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-7001
Gr: 6-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1010.
Park High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8040 80th St S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-3702
Gr: 9-12 | 1,992 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
Ages 3-5 Early Childhood Special Education
Special Education School
8400 E Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-6121
Gr: PK | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 54:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: n/an/a
Great Rivers Adult Education
Alternative School
8400 E Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-2341
Gr: 10-12 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: n/an/a
Next Step Transition Program
Special Education School
7155 80th St S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-5104
Gr: 12 | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Sowashco Online K-5
7362 E Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 425-6300
Gr: K-5

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cottage Grove, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Cottage Grove, MN include Cottage Grove Elementary School, Grey Cloud Elementary School and Hillside Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Cottage Grove?
14 public schools are located in Cottage Grove.
What percentage of students in Cottage Grove go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Cottage Grove are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cottage Grove?
Cottage Grove public schools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is more than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cottage Grove are often viewed compared to one another?

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