Top Rankings
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 87 students in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Minnesota.
Public High Schools in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Minnesota public high school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District have a Graduation Rate of 54%, which is less than the Minnesota average of 83%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr., with 50-59% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Minnesota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public high school average of 37% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
4 Schools
1,177 Schools
# Students
104 Students
310,035 Students
# Teachers
14 Teachers
18,776 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 522 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50-59% has increased from 40-59% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#482 out of 527 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21-39%
41%
Graduation Rate
50-59%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.41
0.57
% American Indian
n/a
2%
% Asian
n/a
7%
% Hispanic
17%
11%
% Black
2%
11%
% White
75%
63%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $64,577 is higher than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $69,452 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$7 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$64,577
$17,854
Spending / Student
$69,452
$18,580
Best Southern Plains Education Coop. School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Grades: 8-12
| 59 students
Rank: #22.
Southern Plains Bridges
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Grades: K-12
| 23 students
Rank: n/an/a
Positive Approach To Learning
Special Education School
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Grades: K-12
| 5 students
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.