Stillwater Area Public Schools

The Stillwater Area Public Schools district in Minnesota encompasses 15 schools, including 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school, serving students from preschool through 12th grade.

Within the district, a few schools stand out as top performers. Stillwater Middle School consistently ranks among the top 30 middle schools in Minnesota, with a 5-star rating and over 60% of students proficient in math and reading. Afton-Lakeland Elementary is ranked among the top 50 elementary schools in the state, with exceptional test scores and a 5-star rating. The specialized Gate 4/5 school for grades 4-5 is ranked #2 in the state, with an astounding 95% or more of students proficient in math and reading.

While the district as a whole outperforms the state average on standardized tests, with 58-61% of students proficient in math and reading compared to the state average of 45-50%, there is significant variation in the performance of individual schools. The student-teacher ratios range from 13:1 at Lily Lake Elementary to 52.9:1 at the small Gate 4/5 school. Socioeconomic factors appear to play a role, as schools with higher free/reduced lunch rates tend to have lower test scores. Additionally, the district's middle schools outperform the high schools, though all are above the state average.