Top Rankings
Benton-Stearns Education School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 54 students in Benton-Stearns Education School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Minnesota.
Public Elementary Schools in Benton-Stearns Education School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
6 Schools
1,655 Schools
# Students
163 Students
571,925 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
40,363 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1
District Rank
Benton-Stearns Education School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 522 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
Overall District Rank
#456 out of 527 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
45%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
51%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
41%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.61
# American Indian Students
2 Students
10,480 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
2%
# Asian Students
3 Students
42,165 Students
% Asian Students
2%
7%
# Hispanic Students
12 Students
65,127 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
12%
# Black Students
7 Students
70,794 Students
% Black Students
4%
12%
# White Students
126 Students
344,281 Students
% White Students
77%
60%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
676 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
13 Students
38,402 Students
% of Two or more races Students
8%
7%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
93
10,698
# Students in K Grade:
-
57,031
# Students in 1st Grade:
-
61,859
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2
63,560
# Students in 3rd Grade:
1
61,751
# Students in 4th Grade:
4
63,575
# Students in 5th Grade:
7
63,290
# Students in 6th Grade:
13
63,180
# Students in 7th Grade:
6
53,666
# Students in 8th Grade:
6
53,924
# Students in 9th Grade:
4
4,107
# Students in 10th Grade:
3
4,634
# Students in 11th Grade:
3
4,740
# Students in 12th Grade:
21
5,910
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $55,969 is higher than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $60,773 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$9 MM
$15,547 MM

Spending
$10 MM
$16,179 MM

Revenue / Student
$55,969
$17,854

Spending / Student
$60,773
$18,580

Best Benton-Stearns Education School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Benton-stearns Education District
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
324 3rd Avenue South
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Grades: 5-12
| 19 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Benton-stearns Education Pioneers
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Grades: K-6
| 11 students
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Education - Asd
Special Education School
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Grades: K-12
| 12 students
Rank: n/an/a
Grafton School
Alternative School
224 Krays Mill Road
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Grades: K-12
| 12 students
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