Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower

Public, Charter Grades K-4

10^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 869 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Better than 99% of Minnesota elementary schools

Summary

St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower is a K–4 elementary school in Stillwater, Minnesota, serving roughly 450 students as part of the St. Croix Preparatory Academy district. It is one of Minnesota's strongest elementary schools: it ranks 10th of 869 elementary schools statewide in 2025–26, placing in the 99th percentile with 5 stars, while its district ranks 3rd of 458 districts in the state.

The school's record is remarkably consistent — 5 stars in every year listed and never below 10th statewide, peaking at 2nd in 2017–18. Math is the signature strength: 90% of students were proficient in 2025–26 versus 44.9% statewide, with 3rd-grade math at 94.4% and 4th-grade math at 85.6%. Reading is also strong at 77.8% versus 48.6% statewide. Against nearby schools in Stillwater Area Public Schools, which ranks 47th of 458 districts, it leads clearly: Afton-Lakeland Elementary (math 75.4%, reading 73.7%) and Stonebridge Elementary (math 56.2%, reading 63.4%) trail by wide margins, even though Stonebridge serves a similar share of low-income students.

The school also stands out for how well it serves specific groups, with top statewide rankings for male students, students in special education, and students from low-income families. Its free/reduced-lunch rate of 11.33% is lower than most neighbors, but its student/teacher ratio of 17.3 is not especially low, so small classes do not explain the results. The only nearby school with higher scores is Gate 4/5, a tiny grades 4–5 program with 64 students, making it not a like-for-like comparison. One note for parents: the school has no science score because it ends at grade 4.

450

Students ?

17.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,771

Per pupil spending ?

11.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Minnesota receive free school meals.

4260 Stagecoach Tr N
Stillwater, MN 55082-1197

(651) 395-5920

District: St. Croix Preparatory Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

69.8%

Asian:

13.6%

African American:

8.9%

See top rated Minnesota elementary schools

Compare St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2016 → 99th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Minnesota average (84% vs 47% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Minnesota elementary schools

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school84%

District avg75%

Minnesota avg47%

10^th of 869

Minnesota public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Minnesota Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 458St. Croix Preparatory Academy among Minnesota districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	96.4	10 of 869	98.8%	★★★★★
2025	95.9	9 of 872	99.0%	★★★★★
2024	96.9	6 of 881	99.3%	★★★★★
2023	95.3	6 of 845	99.3%	★★★★★
2022	96.0	4 of 858	99.5%	★★★★★
2021	97.4	3 of 869	99.7%	★★★★★
2019	96.9	3 of 870	99.7%	★★★★★
2018	95.5	2 of 847	99.8%	★★★★★
2017	94.6	3 of 853	99.6%	★★★★★
2016	92.2	7 of 848	99.2%	★★★★★
2015	89.5	19 of 840	97.7%	★★★★★
2014	91.3	7 of 826	99.2%	★★★★★
2013	84.9	54 of 824	93.4%	★★★★★
2012	89.1	8 of 820	99.0%	★★★★★
2011	83.6	55 of 814	93.2%	★★★★★
2010	81.1	58 of 803	92.8%	★★★★★
2008	81.4	77 of 781	90.1%	★★★★★
2007	87.1	26 of 777	96.7%	★★★★★
2006	86.2	27 of 756	96.4%	★★★★★
2005	76.9	102 of 685	85.1%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	85.2	23 of 143	83.9%	★★★★☆
2025	91.3	11 of 140	92.1%	★★★★★
2024	95.0	4 of 154	97.4%	★★★★★
2023	90.1	15 of 128	88.3%	★★★★☆
2022	89.1	15 of 131	88.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	92.3	19 of 790	97.6%	★★★★★
2025	93.0	13 of 799	98.4%	★★★★★
2024	95.4	7 of 809	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	92.1	14 of 787	98.2%	★★★★★
2022	94.4	5 of 799	99.4%	★★★★★
2021	96.2	2 of 783	99.7%	★★★★★
2019	96.1	3 of 787	99.6%	★★★★★
2018	95.1	2 of 774	99.7%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2025	95.0	9 of 764	98.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	97.1	3 of 807	99.6%	★★★★★
2025	96.0	5 of 812	99.4%	★★★★★
2024	96.3	5 of 826	99.4%	★★★★★
2023	95.9	3 of 799	99.6%	★★★★★
2022	95.9	4 of 808	99.5%	★★★★★
2021	97.1	3 of 784	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	96.4	3 of 798	99.6%	★★★★★
2018	94.2	2 of 779	99.7%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	95.2	11 of 579	98.1%	★★★★★
2025	96.9	10 of 562	98.2%	★★★★★
2024	96.6	5 of 572	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	90.6	20 of 524	96.2%	★★★★★
2022	84.8	39 of 500	92.2%	★★★★★
2021	92.6	5 of 417	98.8%	★★★★★
2018	96.8	3 of 463	99.4%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	91.5	26 of 710	96.3%	★★★★★
2025	91.3	23 of 714	96.8%	★★★★★
2024	93.6	10 of 730	98.6%	★★★★★
2023	92.3	11 of 712	98.5%	★★★★★
2022	94.5	4 of 725	99.4%	★★★★★
2021	97.3	3 of 710	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	96.4	3 of 722	99.6%	★★★★★
2018	95.0	2 of 712	99.7%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)100th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)99th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)98th percentile~ school

White (2026)96th percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2026)84th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs Minnesota (2025-2026) ?

Math90%+45 vs state

Reading78%+29 vs state

3.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★0

Rate St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, November 20, 2016

If you are thinking of sending your little ones to our (I am a parent) school , have a look at this petition http://www.thepetitionsite.com/306/933/496/demand-an-independent-investigation-into-the-high-attrition-rate-of-lower-school-faculty-at-scpa/ . There is a call for an independent investigation into the administration. You can look at the comments to get a good idea of the issues. If you are concerned about this, please sign the petition and let them know that as a perspective parent, you are concerned about this and would like to see it corrected. The school has been and can be a great school, but right now it has some issues that need to be addressed before I can recommend you trusting your children to it. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, August 7, 2015

I am so happy that my son attends St. Croix Prep's lower school. Every year, the school gets better and better! The teachers are top-notch, and the administration cares about my child. My child is getting a private school education in a public school setting. Close Quote

Schools Near St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCA-IV Reading (2026)				MCA-IV Science (2026)		MCA-III Math (2026)				Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCA-IV Reading 3rd Grade	MCA-IV Reading 4th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 5th Grade	MCA-IV Reading All Grades	MCA-IV Science 5th Grade	MCA-IV Science All Grades	MCA-III Math 3rd Grade	MCA-III Math 4th Grade	MCA-III Math 5th Grade	MCA-III Math All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Total
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower	Public, Charter	K-4	4260 Stagecoach Tr N	Stillwater	55082	Washington County	St. Croix Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(651) 395-5920	450	26	17.3	11.3%	314 (69.8%)	40 (8.9%)	22 (4.9%)	61 (13.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.9%)	96.4	10^th of 869 public elementary schools	98.8%		95.9	9^th of 872 public elementary schools	99.0%	1	75.6	80.0		77.8			94.4	85.6		90.0			$11,771
Andersen Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	309 4th St N	Bayport	55003	Washington County	Stillwater Area Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(651) 351-6600	327	19	17.4	18.0%	277 (84.7%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.7%)	8 (2.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.8%)	53.7	415^th of 869 public elementary schools	52.2%		53.7	439^th of 872 public elementary schools	49.7%	24	41.5	47.1	51.0	46.4	26.5	26.5	61.1	42.0	53.1	52.3	88.6%	11.4%	$13,486
Gate 4/5	Public	4-5	523 Marsh St W	Stillwater	55082	Washington County	Stillwater Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(651) 351-6905	64	1	64.0	4.7%	52 (81.3%)	1 (1.6%)	1 (1.6%)	6 (9.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (6.3%)	99.6	1^st of 869 public elementary schools	99.9%		99.3	2^nd of 872 public elementary schools	99.8%	1		100.0	100.0	100.0	85.7	85.7		100.0	96.4	98.2			$3,320
A/O Program	Public	PK, KG-1	1111 South Holcombe St	Stillwater	55110	Washington County	Northeast Metro 916	No	No	No	No	(651) 964-1274	5	2	2.9	—	3 (60.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (20.0%)	1 (20.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Falcon View Online Elementary	Public, Virtual	K-5	275 3rd Street South	Stillwater	55981	Washington County	Wabasha-Kellogg School District	No	No	Yes	Yes	(651) 565-3559	44	5	8.6	47.7%	27 (61.4%)	3 (6.8%)	6 (13.6%)	2 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (13.6%)								(n/a)				36.8						26.3
Lily Lake Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2003 Willard St W	Stillwater	55082	Washington County	Stillwater Area Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(651) 351-6800	398	30	13.3	27.1%	314 (78.9%)	17 (4.3%)	28 (7.0%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	33 (8.3%)	79.8	151^st of 869 public elementary schools	82.6%		75.9	196^th of 872 public elementary schools	77.5%	45	56.3	67.7	74.3	65.6	37.7	37.7	51.2	83.6	65.2	65.2	89.3%	10.7%	$14,495
New Heights Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	614 W Mulberry St	Stillwater	55082	Washington County	New Heights School Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(651) 439-1962	39	3	11.9	53.8%	34 (87.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (10.3%)								(n/a)				42.1						42.1
Stonebridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	900 Owens St N	Stillwater	55082	Washington County	Stillwater Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(651) 351-8700	420	26	16.3	12.4%	366 (87.1%)	9 (2.1%)	16 (3.8%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (5.7%)	75.1	205^th of 869 public elementary schools	76.4%		68.9	281^st of 872 public elementary schools	67.8%	76	50.7	66.2	72.5	63.4	42.5	42.5	46.6	61.6	60.0	56.2	95.2%	4.8%	$12,892
Rutherford Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	115 Rutherford Rd	Stillwater	55082	Washington County	Stillwater Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(651) 351-6400	573	33	17.2	14.3%	481 (83.9%)	13 (2.3%)	26 (4.5%)	18 (3.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (5.9%)	75.2	204^th of 869 public elementary schools	76.5%		73.7	221^st of 872 public elementary schools	74.7%	17	63.0	64.7	54.5	60.5	33.0	33.0	68.0	68.2	50.5	62.0	≥ 98%		$12,518
Lake Elmo Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11030 Stillwater Blvd N	Lake Elmo	55042	Washington County	Stillwater Area Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(651) 351-6700	697	48	14.4	23.0%	417 (59.8%)	39 (5.6%)	144 (20.7%)	44 (6.3%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (7.0%)	66.7	285^th of 869 public elementary schools	67.2%		69.7	273^rd of 872 public elementary schools	68.7%	12	56.0	60.6	50.5	55.7	24.1	24.1	70.4	65.1	42.2	59.8	91.1%	8.9%	$14,731

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower

How many students attend St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower?

In the 2024-25 school year, 450 students attended St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower.

Is St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower a good school?

Yes! St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 10^th of 869 Minnesota elementary schools.

What district is St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower in?

St. Croix Preparatory Academy

What is the racial makeup of St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower?

Students at St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower are 70% White, 14% Asian, 9% African American, 5% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

Rate St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MNMinnesota Elementary School Rankings

MNMinnesota District Rankings

Schools in Stillwater, MN

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower!

Latest Minnesota data All new data »

2019–20 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 MCA-III & MCA-IV test scoresSep 30, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCA-III test scoresAug 29, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.