Best Schools in Staples, Minnesota
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Staples?
Use this page to compare every school in Staples 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.
Staples-motley Senior High
High · Staples-motley School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Sacred Heart Area School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Motley-staples Middle School
Middle · Staples-motley School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Staples for 2026 are Staples-motley Senior High (7.8/10), Sacred Heart Area School (7.1/10), and Motley-staples Middle School (5.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$177,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$177,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Staples
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Staples-motley Senior High | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Sacred Heart Area School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Motley-staples Middle School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Staples-motley Elementary | 5.3 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $58,009
- Median home value
- $177,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Staples compares
Minnesota rank
#67 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$58k
69% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Staples, Minnesota
Staples, Minnesota is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Staples 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 Staples is Staples-motley Senior High with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Staples is served by 1 school district: STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 888 students.
Staples's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $58,009. The poverty rate in the area is 13.8%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 279 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sacred Heart Area School
Private
79 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.1 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 291 students · 5th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 318 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
Schools in Staples
Staples, Minnesota · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$58,009
Median Home Value
$177,500
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
5,018
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Community Profile
Staples has a median household income of $58,009. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 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 Staples, Minnesota
How many schools are in Staples, Minnesota?
Staples has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Staples, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Staples is 6.5 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 Staples, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Staples on MySchoolScout is Staples-motley Senior High with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Staples, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Staples on MySchoolScout is Sacred Heart Area School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Staples, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Staples on MySchoolScout is Motley-staples Middle School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Staples, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Staples on MySchoolScout is Staples-motley Senior High with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Staples, Minnesota?
Staples is served by 1 school district: Staples-motley School District.
What is the education level in Staples, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Staples have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Staples, Minnesota?
The median household income in Staples is approximately $58,009 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Staples, Minnesota?
Yes, Staples has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sacred Heart Area School with a score of 7.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Staples, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Staples is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Staples, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.