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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Stearns County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public preschools serving 7,331 students in Stearns County, MN.
The top-ranked public preschools in Stearns County, MN are Holdingford Elementary School, Oak Ridge Early Learning Center and Avon Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Stearns County, MN public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the Minnesota public pre school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 48% statewide average). Pre schools in Stearns County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public preschool average of 43% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Public Preschools in Stearns County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Holdingford Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-4462
Gr: PK-6 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Oak Ridge Early Learning Center
(Math: 81% | Reading: 71% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1111 27th St N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 258-3693
Gr: PK-K | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Avon Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
410 Avon Ave N
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5300
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Kimball Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
405 Hazel Ave E
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5425
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5800 Ridgewood Rd
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-7630
Gr: PK-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
Melrose Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
566 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Gr: PK-5 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
Paynesville Area Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
205 W Mill St
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3725
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Cold Spring Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
601 Red River Ave N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-7534
Gr: PK-5 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1010.
Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
245 School Avenue
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Gr: PK-5 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
Oak Hill Community Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 County Road 136
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6000
Gr: PK-5 | 878 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1313.
Sauk Centre Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
901 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6521
Gr: PK-4 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2805 9th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6330
Gr: PK-5 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1515.
Discovery Community Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
700 7th St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6180
Gr: PK-5 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
Albany Area Early Learning Center
300 3rd Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Gr: PK-K | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Educational District Ec
Special Education School
517 2nd St. South
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 252-8427
Gr: PK | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Ec Sp Educational At Quarryview Educational Center
Special Education School
800 7th St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8261
Gr: PK | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
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
Special Education Facilities
Special Education School
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8000
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
West Central Education District B-2
Special Education School
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Gr: PK | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Stearns County, MN?
The top-ranked public preschools in Stearns County, MN include Holdingford Elementary School, Oak Ridge Early Learning Center and Avon Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Stearns County?
20 public preschools are located in Stearns County.
What is the racial composition of students in Stearns County?
Stearns County public preschools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Minnesota public preschools average of 43% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public preschools in Stearns County are often viewed compared to one another?

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