Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Middle Schools in Stearns County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Stearns County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 33 public middle schools serving 8,207 students in Stearns County, MN.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Stearns County, MN are Sartell Middle School, Rocori Middle School and Albany Area Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stearns County, MN public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Stearns County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Stearns County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sartell Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
748 7th Street North
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-3710
Gr: 6-8 | 983 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Rocori Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
534 N 5th Ave
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-8683
Gr: 6-8 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #33.
Albany Area Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
30 Forest Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Gr: 6-8 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Beacon Program W Central Ed. Dist.
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Gr: PK-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
West Central Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Gr: 6-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #66.
Kennedy Community School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1300 Jade Rd
Saint Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 370-7430
Gr: PK-9 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Kimball Secondary
(Math: 37% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
100 W State Highway 55
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-7700
Gr: 6-12 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #88.
Holdingford Secondary
(Math: 38% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2221
Gr: 7-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Melrose Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
546 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Gr: 6-8 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1010.
Sauk Centre Secondary
(Math: 38% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
903 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2258
Gr: 7-12 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1111.
Roosevelt Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3015 3rd St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6890
Gr: K-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1212.
Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Secondary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
710 Washburn Ave
Belgrade, MN 56312
(320) 254-8211
Gr: 6-12 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1313.
South Junior High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1120 15th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-7230
Gr: 6-8 | 831 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1414.
Paynesville Area Secondary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
795 Business 23 S
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3761
Gr: 6-12 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1515.
North Junior High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1212 29th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7000
Gr: 6-8 | 720 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1616.
Stride Academy K-8 Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3241 Oakham Ln
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 230-5340
Gr: K-8 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1717.
Katherine Johnson Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
713 Anderson Avenue North
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6897
Gr: K-12 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1818.
Athlos Academy Of Saint Cloud
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3701 33rd Street South
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 281-4430
Gr: K-8 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1919.
St. Cloud Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
216 N 8th Ave
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6790
Gr: 6-12 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: n/an/a
180 Degrees / Youth Shelter
Alternative School
1101 Washington Memorial Dr
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-8020
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Alc - Holdingford
Alternative School
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Alc - Kimball
Alternative School
100 W State Highway 55
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Bbe Learning Center
Alternative School
710 Washburn Ave
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Central Minnesota Virtual Academy
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8656
Gr: 6-12 | 53 students Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
Grafton School
Alternative School
224 Krays Mill Road
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 426-6301
Gr: K-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Newport Academy
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6895
Gr: 7-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: n/an/a
Rocori Alc
Alternative School
534 N 5th Ave
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4910
Gr: 7-12 | 27 students Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Rocori Online Learning Site
534 5th Ave N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4908
Gr: 6-12 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
St. Cloud Hospital Programs Non-res
Alternative School
1406 6th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6895
Gr: PK-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: n/an/a
St. Cloud Hospital Progs-residential
Alternative School
1406 6th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 650-6895
Gr: K-12 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: n/an/a
St. Cloud Math & Science Middle School
Charter School
1025 18th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 774-2201
Gr: 6-8 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: n/an/a
Special Education Facilities
Special Education School
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8000
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
Success Academy St. Cloud - Middle School
Charter School
809 12th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 640-3525
Gr: 6-8 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Stearns County, MN?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Stearns County, MN include Sartell Middle School, Rocori Middle School and Albany Area Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Stearns County?
31 public middle schools are located in Stearns County.
What is the racial composition of students in Stearns County?
Stearns County public middle schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public middle schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Stearns County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (MN):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
 The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools

More Articles

Parenting and Learning Issues
Opinion
Public School Policies
Scholarships
Teaching