Stephen-Argyle Central Schools

Stephen-Argyle Central Schools is a small Minnesota district with only two schools: Stephen-Argyle Central Elementary, serving PK–6 in Argyle with 158 students, and Stephen-Argyle Central High School, serving grades 7–12 in Stephen with 124 students — about 282 students in all. The district as a whole is ranked 128 of 458 in Minnesota, the 72nd percentile, with 4 stars.

The high school is the district's standout and its biggest mover. Its latest rank is 42 of 473, the 91st percentile, 5 stars, up sharply from the 69th percentile and 3 stars in both prior years. Outcomes are excellent: a 95.2% graduation rate versus the state's 84.9%, and a 0.0% dropout rate versus 4.2%. Science End of Course is 68.2% versus 35% statewide, 10th grade reading is 54.5% versus 42.5%, and 11th grade math is 40% versus 35.3%. One caveat: because the building includes grades 7–8, its all-grade math of 31.7% falls below the state's 44.9%, pulled down by 7th grade math at 25%, 8th grade math at 32%, and 8th grade science at just 8%.

The elementary school remains above state in math and science but slipped in the latest rankings, from 4 stars to 3 stars and from the mid-70s percentile to the 68th percentile. All-grade math is 61.5% versus the state's 44.9%, science is 45% versus 25.5%, and reading is essentially at state at 48.4% versus 48.6%. Fifth grade is the bright spot, with 70% in both math and reading. Reading is the weaker area in grades 3, 4, and 6, all below state. With such small enrollments, grade-level percentages can swing widely from year to year, so single-year changes should be read with caution.