Top Rankings
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 104 students in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
4 Schools
2,732 Schools
# Students
104 Students
870,790 Students
# Teachers
14 Teachers
57,779 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 30% has increased from 21-39% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#474 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)≤10%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21-39%
41%
Graduation Rate
30%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.41
0.59
% American Indian
n/a
2%
% Asian
n/a
7%
% Hispanic
17%
12%
% Black
2%
12%
% White
75%
61%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $64,577 is higher than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $69,452 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$7 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$64,577
$17,854
Spending / Student
$69,452
$18,580
Best Southern Plains Education Coop. School District ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: 8-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Southern Plains Bridges
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: K-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
Positive Approach To Learning
Special Education School
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: K-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: n/an/a
Southern Plains Education Coop.
Special Education School
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Gr: PK-K | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District manages 4 public schools serving 104 students.
What is the rank of Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District is ranked #420 out of 520 school districts in Minnesota (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Minnesota school districts for: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
75% of Southern Plains Education Coop. School District students are White, 17% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Southern Plains Education Coop. School District?
Southern Plains Education Coop. School District has a student/teacher ratio of 7:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.
What is Southern Plains Education Coop. School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $69,452 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

10 Advantages of ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.

COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.