Needs Improvement
#1916 of 1,986 schools in MN
Dakota Meadows Middle School
Middle School · MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 8741, North Mankato, MN 56002
Enrollment
886
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
886
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Mankato
#5 of 5
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#255 of 280
In district
#17 of 17
MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Dakota Meadows Middle School
Dakota Meadows Middle School serves 886 students in grades 6-8 in North Mankato, Minnesota. This regular public middle school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1 with 46 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Dakota Meadows has room for growth, with 54% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 36% meeting proficiency standards in Math.
The school currently ranks #1190 out of 2027 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 41st percentile among Minnesota schools. These results suggest opportunities for continued focus on student academic development, particularly in mathematics. With nearly 900 students, Dakota Meadows represents a substantial middle school community where students can find diverse peer connections and activities during these important transitional years.
The school's size allows for varied programming while still maintaining manageable class environments with the current staffing levels. Dakota Meadows Middle School is situated in North Mankato's small suburban setting in Nicollet County, providing students with a community-oriented educational environment that balances small-town familiarity with access to broader regional resources and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dakota Meadows Middle School — Students at Dakota Meadows Middle School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.
How Dakota Meadows Middle School Compares
See how Dakota Meadows Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 36% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 54% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 8741, North Mankato, MN 56002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dakota Meadows Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Mankato), which scores notably higher. Another option is JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Mankato), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Mankato), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Mankato, see our North Mankato schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CONCORDIA CLASSICAL ACADEMY North Mankato | 0.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Futures Sun North Mankato | 0.6 mi | — |
| HOOVER ELEMENTARY North Mankato | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| FUTURES PROGRAM North Mankato | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| MONROE ELEMENTARY North Mankato | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mankato | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Mankato | 2.3 mi | 8.8 |
| BRIDGES COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY North Mankato | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| MANKATO WEST SENIOR HIGH Mankato | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| SPECIAL EDUCATION Mankato | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mankato | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Central High Area Learning Center Mankato | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| CENTRAL FREEDOM SCHOOL Mankato | 2.6 mi | — |
| Central Middle School ALC Mankato | 2.6 mi | — |
| Prairie Care Mankato Mankato | 2.5 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mankato | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Mankato | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Kato Public Charter School Mankato | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Mankato | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Mankato | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| SKYVIEW COMMUNITY MIDDLE Oakdale, MN | 3.8 |
| Shakopee West Middle School Shakopee, MN | 3.8 |
| JOHN GLENN MIDDLE Maplewood, MN | 3.7 |
| WOODBURY MIDDLE SCHOOL Woodbury, MN | 3.9 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia Heights, MN | 4.0 |
| HASTINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Hastings, MN | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dakota Meadows Middle School
What grades does Dakota Meadows Middle School serve?
Dakota Meadows Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dakota Meadows Middle School?
Dakota Meadows Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 886 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dakota Meadows Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dakota Meadows Middle School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dakota Meadows Middle School rank in MN?
Dakota Meadows Middle School is ranked #1916 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Dakota Meadows Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dakota Meadows Middle School has a composite rating of 3.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dakota Meadows Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dakota Meadows Middle School has 44.0% math proficiency and 60.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dakota Meadows Middle School a charter school?
No, Dakota Meadows Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dakota Meadows Middle School a Title I school?
No, Dakota Meadows Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dakota Meadows Middle School?
32.5% of students at Dakota Meadows Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,006/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Mankato). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 886
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Nicollet County
- Phone
- (507) 387-5077
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 8,276
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,091
- District Rank
- #17 of 17
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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