For the 2025 school year, there are 20 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 48% (versus the Minnesota public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 47% 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 42% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Preschools in Stearns County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Holdingford Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-4462
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-4462
Grades: PK-6
| 564 students
Rank: #22.
Oak Ridge Early Learning Center
(Math: 81% | Reading: 71% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1111 27th St N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 258-3693
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 258-3693
Grades: PK-K
| 306 students
Rank: #33.
Avon Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
410 Avon Ave N
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5300
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-5300
Grades: PK-5
| 291 students
Rank: #44.
Albany Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10 Forest Ave
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2161
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2161
Grades: PK-5
| 478 students
Rank: #55.
Kimball Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
405 Hazel Ave E
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5425
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5425
Grades: PK-5
| 323 students
Rank: #66.
Cold Spring Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
601 Red River Ave N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-7534
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-7534
Grades: PK-6
| 670 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Beacon Program W Central Ed. Dist.
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Grades: PK-12
| 11 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Melrose Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
566 5th Ave Ne
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-5160
Grades: PK-5
| 476 students
Rank: #99.
Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
245 School Avenue
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Brooten, MN 56316
(320) 254-8211
Grades: PK-5
| 313 students
Rank: #1010.
Kennedy Community School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1300 Jade Rd
Saint Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 370-7430
Saint Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 370-7430
Grades: PK-8
| 608 students
Rank: #1111.
Paynesville Area Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
205 W Mill St
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3725
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3725
Grades: PK-5
| 436 students
Rank: #1212.
Oak Hill Community Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 County Road 136
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6000
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 370-6000
Grades: PK-5
| 752 students
Rank: #1313.
Sauk Centre Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
901 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6521
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6521
Grades: PK-4
| 378 students
Rank: #1414.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2805 9th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6330
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6330
Grades: PK-5
| 671 students
Rank: #1515.
Special Education Facilities
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8000
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8000
Grades: PK-12
| 59 students
Rank: #1616.
Discovery Community Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
700 7th St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6180
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-6180
Grades: PK-5
| 540 students
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Educational District Ec
Special Education School
517 2nd St. South
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 252-8427
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 252-8427
Grades: PK
| 93 students
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
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8261
Grades: PK
| 304 students
Rank: n/an/a
St. Cloud Hospital Programs Non-res
Alternative School
1406 6th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6895
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6895
Grades: PK-12
| 25 students
Rank: n/an/a
West Central Education District B-2
Special Education School
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-6026
Grades: PK
| 33 students
Stearns County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Abe Program (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
245 37th Ave. N.
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 529-6500
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 529-6500
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Albany Area Schools Early Childhood (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
212 1st St Sw
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Albany, MN 56307
(320) 845-2171
Grades: PK
| 25 students
Albany Middle Level Alc Programs (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
933 State Rd.
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Beacon Program Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
903 State Road S
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Grades: 3-8
| n/a students
Central Minnesota Jt. Powers Dist. (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
809 12th St N
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8007
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8007
Grades: 1-12
| n/a students
1201 2nd St S
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8025
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 370-8025
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Central Mn Alc - Cold Spring High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
534 5th Ave North
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Central Mn Alc Holdingford High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
900 5th St
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Central Mn Alc Kimball High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
100 Hwy 55 W
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Central Mn Alc Sartell Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
212 3rd Ave N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Central Mn T.s. Cold Spring (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
534 5th Avenue N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-4901
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Central Mn T.s. Holdingford (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Holdingford, MN 56340
(320) 746-2196
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Central Mn T.s. Street Cloud (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
809 12th Street N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Central Mn Targeted Svcs. Kimball (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
Box 368
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Kimball, MN 55353
(320) 398-5585
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Central Mn Targeted Svcs. Sartell (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
212 3rd Avenue N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 656-0748
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Correctional Facility-sauk Centre (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
Box C
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-1100
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-1100
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
132 West Division St
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 258-3117
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 258-3117
Grades: 9-12
| 37 students
216 8th Ave. N.
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 251-4481
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 251-4481
Grades: K-4
| 289 students
O.k House High School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1905 Minnesota Blvd
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-8811
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-8811
Grades: 7-12
| 4 students
795 W Hwy 23
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3761
Paynesville, MN 56362
(320) 243-3761
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Riverwoods School - Residential (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Grades: K-12
| 30 students
Riverwoods School Non-residential (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1726 7th Ave S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Grades: K-12
| 26 students
3015 3rd St. N.
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 252-2351
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 252-2351
Grades: K-4
| 306 students
St. Cloud Alc High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
809 12th Street N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 251-4963
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
St. Cloud Extended Day Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
809 12th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6795
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 370-6795
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
St. Cloud Group Home (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1101 Washington Memorial Dr
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548
Grades: 7-12
| 4 students
St. Cloud Social Justice Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2719 W Division St, Ste 111
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 980-7180
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 980-7180
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Sartell Ec Service Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
212 3rd Ave N
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 251-1284
Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 251-1284
Grades: PK-K
| n/a students
933 State Rd
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2285
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-2285
Grades: 7-9
| 267 students
Star Program (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
9 2nd Street Southwest
Melrose, MN 56352
(620) 256-7836
Melrose, MN 56352
(620) 256-7836
Grades: PK-1
| n/a students
Stride Academy Charter School (Closed 2016)
Charter School
1025 18th St N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Grades: K-5
| 295 students
Targeted Services-stride Academy (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1025 18th Street North
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 230-5340
Grades: 1-8
| n/a students
West Central Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
903 State Road S
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
(320) 352-6120
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
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 42% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public preschools in Stearns County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Stearns County include: Melrose Elementary School vs. Albany Elementary School, Albany Elementary School vs. Melrose Elementary School, Paynesville Area Elementary School vs. Belgrade-brooten-elrosa Elementary School
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