Best Public Schools in Zip Code 55082

The 55082 zip code area in Minnesota contains a diverse mix of 20 schools, including 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 1 alternative school, spread across the Stillwater Area Public Schools and Mahtomedi Public School District. The area is home to several standout schools, including the St. Croix Preparatory Academy system and Gate 4/5, which consistently rank among the top schools in the state.

The high schools in the area have strong 4-year graduation rates, ranging from 84.2% to 84.2%, and correspondingly low dropout rates of 4.4% to 4.4%. However, there is a wide range in MCA-III proficiency rates across the schools, with the top performers like St. Croix Prep and Gate 4/5 having over 90% proficiency in some subjects, while lower-performing schools like New Heights Elementary have under 30% proficiency. This disparity is likely linked to the varying socioeconomic factors, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, which range from 4.84% at Gate 4/5 to 69.44% at New Heights Elementary.

Overall, the 55082 zip code area demonstrates a mix of high-performing, average, and low-performing schools. The top-tier schools, such as Mahtomedi Senior High and the St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper, show what is possible with the right resources and student populations, while the lower-performing schools highlight the challenges faced by schools serving more disadvantaged communities.