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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cottonwood County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 1,949 students in Cottonwood County, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 138 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Cottonwood County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cottonwood County, MN are Windom Area Elementary School, Mountain Lake Secondary and Mountain Lake Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cottonwood County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Cottonwood County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cottonwood County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Windom Area Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1200 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6925
Gr: PK-4 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #22.
Mountain Lake Secondary
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
450 12th St N
Mountain Lake, MN 56159
(507) 427-2325
Gr: 7-12 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #33.
Mountain Lake Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
450 12th St N
Mountain Lake, MN 56159
(507) 427-2325
Gr: PK-6 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
Windom Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Gr: 5-8 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Swwc Alc - Windom
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1454 6th Ave
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 537-2258
Gr: 9-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Westbrook-walnut Grove Secondary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
344 8th St
Westbrook, MN 56183
(507) 274-5450
Gr: 7-12 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Windom Senior High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Gr: 9-12 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Swwc Elc - Windom
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1454 6th Ave
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6935
Gr: K-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Learning Center
Special Education School
68 10th St, Highland Building
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6940
Gr: PK | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Out-of-state Care And Treatment
Alternative School
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6901
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Starrs Online Academy
1012 5th Avenue
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Starss Online Academy Elementary School
1454 6th Ave N
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Gr: K-5
Rank: n/an/a
Swwc Alc Midlevel - Windom
Alternative School
1454 6th Ave
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 360-1876
Gr: 7-8
Rank: n/an/a
Windom Learn Center Credit Recovery
Alternative School
1400 17th St
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6910
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cottonwood County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Cottonwood County, MN include Windom Area Elementary School, Mountain Lake Secondary and Mountain Lake Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Cottonwood County?
14 public schools are located in Cottonwood County.
What percentage of students in Cottonwood County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Cottonwood County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cottonwood County?
Cottonwood County public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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