Top Rankings
Benton-Stearns Education School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 54 students in Benton-Stearns Education School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Minnesota.
Public Elementary Schools in Benton-Stearns Education School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
6 Schools
1,655 Schools
# Students
163 Students
571,925 Students
# Teachers
21 Teachers
40,363 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Benton-Stearns Education School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
Overall District Rank
#486 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)≤20%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
41%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.61
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
2%
7%
% Hispanic
8%
12%
% Black
4%
12%
% White
77%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $55,969 is higher than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $60,773 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$9 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$10 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$55,969
$17,854
Spending / Student
$60,773
$18,580
Best Benton-Stearns Education School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Benton-stearns Education District
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
324 3rd Avenue South
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Grades: 5-12
| 19 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Benton-stearns Education Pioneers
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Grades: K-6
| 11 students
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Education - Asd
Special Education School
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Grades: K-12
| 12 students
Rank: n/an/a
Grafton School
Alternative School
224 Krays Mill Road
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 252-8427
Grades: K-12
| 12 students
Recent Articles

The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.

Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.

Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.