South Washington Co. Schools Ranked Among Top 50 MN Districts

WOODBURY, MN — South Washington County Public Schools is one of the top 50 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.

The South Washington County Public Schools district was ranked No. 47 in the state after earning an overall B+ 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.

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.

South Washington County Public Schools received an overall B+ after earning an A in college prep and sports; an A- in academics; a B+ for diversity, and clubs and activities; a B for health and safety; and a B- for teachers.

The district also earned a C+ for food and Cs for administration and resources and facilities, according to the ranking.

South Washington County Public Schools serve more than 18,000 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. It has sixteen elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools, as well as the South Washington Alternative High School.