Best Schools in Cottage Grove, Minnesota
13 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Cottage Grove?
Use this page to compare every school in Cottage Grove by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cottage Grove Elementary
Elementary · South Washington County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Grey Cloud Elementary
Elementary · South Washington County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Armstrong Elementary
Elementary · South Washington County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cottage Grove for 2026 are Cottage Grove Elementary (8.9/10), Grey Cloud Elementary (7.7/10), and Armstrong Elementary (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
13
in this city
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$358,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
13
in this city
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$358,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.9/10 despite 27% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Cottage Grove schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Cottage Grove
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cottage Grove Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Grey Cloud Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Armstrong Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Crestview Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | South Washington Alternative HS | 6.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Park High School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Hillside Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Oltman Middle School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Pine Hill Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Cottage Grove Middle School | 5.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $121,295
- Median home value
- $358,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 88%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cottage Grove compares
Minnesota rank
#165 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$121k
144% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Cottage Grove, Minnesota is home to 13 schools, including 13 public schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Cottage Grove show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Cottage Grove is Cottage Grove Elementary with a composite score of 8.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cottage Grove is served by 1 school district: South Washington County Schools. These districts collectively serve 19,360 students.
Cottage Grove's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $121,295. The poverty rate in the area is 4.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 421 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 774 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 308 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
| 4 | 418 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
| 5 | 424 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 |
| 6 | 521 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,002 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 2 | 972 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 92 students · 7th–12th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 1,957 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 3 | 95 students · 12th–12th | 3.7 |
| 4 | 10 students · 10th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 561 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.5 |
Schools in Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, Minnesota · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$121,295
Median Home Value
$358,800
Median Rent
$1,653/mo
Population
39,925
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
88%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Community Profile
Cottage Grove has a median household income of $121,295. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $358,800, with a median rent of $1,653/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Minnesota
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Cottage Grove, Minnesota
How many schools are in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
Cottage Grove has 13 schools, including 13 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cottage Grove is 5.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Cottage Grove on MySchoolScout is Cottage Grove Elementary with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cottage Grove on MySchoolScout is Cottage Grove Elementary with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Cottage Grove on MySchoolScout is Oltman Middle School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Cottage Grove on MySchoolScout is South Washington Alternative HS with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
Cottage Grove is served by 1 school district: South Washington County Schools.
What is the education level in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Cottage Grove have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
The median household income in Cottage Grove is approximately $121,295 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cottage Grove is 18.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cottage Grove, Minnesota?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Minnesota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.