Best Schools in Winona, Minnesota
19 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 6 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Winona?
Use this page to compare every school in Winona 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.
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary · Winona Area Public School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Riverway Learning Community Charter
Elementary · Riverway Learning Community Charter. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Winona Middle
Middle · Winona Area Public School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Winona for 2026 are Jefferson Elementary (8.7/10), Riverway Learning Community Charter (7.4/10), and Winona Middle (7.3/10), 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
19
13 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$211,400
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
19
13 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$211,400
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 8.7/10 despite 49% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.3 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 Winona schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Winona
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Riverway Learning Community Charter | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Winona Middle | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Bluffview Montessori | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Winona Area Learning Center | 6.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Riverway Secondary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Winona Senior High | 6.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Goodview Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 9 | River Valley Academy Alc | 4.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Washington-Kosciusko Elementary | 4.5 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $62,171
- Median home value
- $211,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Winona compares
Minnesota rank
#141 of 231
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Minnesota avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
74% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
15
Winona's public schools split across 4 districts
No single ISD owns Winona. The public campuses divide among 4 districts.
The largest shares: Winona Area Public School District (7), Hiawatha Valley Education District (3), Riverway Learning Community Charter (2).
Among 10 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.5 to 8.7 — the spread is inside Winona, not a citywide average.
- Winona Area Public School District7 public · 54%
- Hiawatha Valley Education District3 public · 23%
- Riverway Learning Community Charter2 public · 15%
- Bluffview Montessori1 public · 8%
About Schools in Winona, Minnesota
Winona, Minnesota is home to 19 schools, including 13 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 6 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Winona show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Winona is Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Winona is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 2,887 students.
Winona's community shows 35% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,171. The poverty rate in the area is 16.8%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 59 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 214 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.0 | ||
| 4 | 190 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.5 | ||
| 5 | 269 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.5 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Martin's Lutheran SchoolPrivate 106 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | St Matthews Lutheran SchoolPrivate 62 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 637 students · 5th–8th | 7.3 |
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 83 students · 5th–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | 68 students · 7th–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 859 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 4 | 48 students · 7th–12th | 4.5 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Hope Lutheran High SchoolPrivate 88 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Anchor AcademyPrivate 2 students · 9th–10th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 33 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| 3 | 16 students · Pre-K–12th | — | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Cotter SchoolsPrivate 897 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 26 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Winona
Winona, Minnesota · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,171
Median Home Value
$211,400
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
33,911
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Community Profile
Winona has a median household income of $62,171. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $211,400, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 6
- Other
- 5
Resources
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 Winona, Minnesota
How many schools are in Winona, Minnesota?
Winona has 19 schools, including 13 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Winona, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Winona is 6.1 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 Winona, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Winona on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Winona, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Winona on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Winona, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Winona on MySchoolScout is Winona Middle with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Winona, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Winona on MySchoolScout is Winona Area Learning Center with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Winona, Minnesota?
Winona is served by 4 school districts: Hiawatha Valley Education District, Riverway Learning Community Charter, Bluffview Montessori, Winona Area Public School District.
What is the education level in Winona, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 35% of adults in Winona have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Winona, Minnesota?
The median household income in Winona is approximately $62,171 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Winona, Minnesota?
Yes, Winona has 6 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Martin's Lutheran School with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Winona, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Winona is 15.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Winona, 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.