Schools in Zip Code 56256

ZIP code 56256, which covers the Madison, Minnesota area, is served by three public schools—Madison-Marietta-Nassau Elementary (PK–4), Lac Qui Parle Valley Middle School (5–6), and Lac Qui Parle Valley Secondary (7–12)—all part of the Lac qui Parle Valley Schools district, with a combined enrollment of about 660 students, the majority of them at the secondary school.

Madison-Marietta-Nassau Elementary is the clear academic standout. Its all-grade math (56.9%) and reading (50.0%) proficiency beat both the district (33.5% math, 34.7% reading) and the state (44.9% math, 48.6% reading), with 3rd grade especially strong at 73.3% math and 63.3% reading. Its rank has climbed each year to 381 of 869, the 56th percentile, 3 stars. Lac Qui Parle Valley Middle School is more mixed: math 29.3%, reading 38.2%, and science 20.7%—above the district in reading and science but below the state in all three. Lac Qui Parle Valley Secondary scores 25.9% math, 29.5% reading, and 16.8% science, below district and state, yet it ranks 202 of 473 (57th percentile) with 3 stars.

Proficiency drops sharply from elementary to secondary in every subject. The secondary school's 8th grade is a major weak spot: reading 16.4% versus the state's 50.0%, science a reported 0% versus 16.7%, and math 27.4% versus 42.3%, while its End of Course Science is 37.9%, above the state's 35.0%. Graduation is a strength—90.0% versus the state's 84.9%—with a dropout rate of 4.2%, equal to district and state. The elementary school has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (35.76%) and student-teacher ratio (11.6); the middle school has the highest free/reduced lunch rate (51.16%), and the secondary school the highest ratio (16.9).