Stillwater Schools Ranked In Top 10 Percent Of MN Districts

STILLWATER, MN — Stillwater Area Public Schools is among the top 10 percent of all districts in Minnesota, according to a new ranking.

Data analysis company Niche recently released its annual list of the best school districts in the country, as well as a statewide ranking of districts in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Stillwater public schools were ranked No. 30 in the state and second-best in Washington County after earning an overall A- in the grading. The district also received dozens of glowing reviews from students and alumni, along with four out of five stars.

Niche named the Minnetonka Public School District the best in Minnesota, followed by the Wayzata and Edina public school districts. There were 327 public school districts in Minnesota in 2019, according to state officials.

Pittsburgh-based Niche specializes in analyzing and ranking top schools and communities.

Traditional rankings rely almost exclusively on metrics like test scores and academic performance, but Niche's rankings combine user input — ratings from current students, alumni, and parents — with data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activity opportunities, and more.

Niche gives each district an overall letter grade based on academics, teachers, clubs and activities, diversity, college preparation and health and safety.

Stillwater Area Public Schools received an overall A- after earning an A in academics and college prep; a B+ for teachers and clubs and activities; a B in health and safety; and a C+ for diversity.

The district serves about 8,500 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It has seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school, as well as an early learning center and an alternative learning center.