Average
#1559 of 1,992 schools in MN
Based on limited data
Dakota Middle School
Middle School · ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
5501 65TH ST NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 32 schools in Rochester. Learn more
Enrollment
1,003
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,003
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,559 of 1,992
In Rochester
#25 of 38
public schools
In district
#22 of 34
ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shortlisting around Dakota Middle School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
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Dakota Middle School
Middle School in Rochester · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gibbs Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Holy Spirit Catholic School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dakota Middle School
Dakota Middle School is a public middle school in Rochester, MN, part of ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Dakota Middle School serves approximately 1,003 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Dakota Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,559 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Based on limited data: 53% component coverage.
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 4.4
- MN avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
Dakota Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
32% of students at Dakota Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Dakota Middle School Compares
See how Dakota Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
5501 65TH ST NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dakota Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROCHESTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PIUS X SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rochester, see our Rochester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gibbs Elementary Rochester | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rochester | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| PrairieCare Rochester | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Overland Elementary School Rochester | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| ROCHESTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rochester | 4.2 mi | 8.7 |
| LOURDES HIGH SCHOOL Rochester | 4.2 mi | 8.7 |
| BISHOP ELEMENTARY Rochester | 4.7 mi | 5.7 |
| JOHN ADAMS MIDDLE Rochester | 4.0 mi | 2.9 |
| GAGE ELEMENTARY Rochester | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| ROCHESTER ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rochester | 4.0 mi | — |
| SUNSET TERRACE ELEMENTARY Rochester | 4.6 mi | 5.1 |
| ELTON HILLS ELEMENTARY Rochester | 4.4 mi | 4.5 |
| ROCHESTER CENTRAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rochester | 4.5 mi | 6.6 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF ROCHESTER Rochester | 5.5 mi | — |
| JOHN MARSHALL SENIOR HIGH Rochester | 5.1 mi | 5.0 |
| ST PIUS X SCHOOL Rochester | 5.3 mi | 7.0 |
| HOOVER ELEMENTARY Rochester | 5.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Early Childhood Assessment Rochester | 5.0 mi | — |
| ECSE Community Rochester | 5.0 mi | — |
| Hoover Early Learning School Rochester | 5.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,430
Median Home Value
$290,000
Median Rent
$1,321/mo
Population
58,260
College Educated
49.6%
Homeownership
64.1%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
34.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn Middle STEAM School Brooklyn Park, MN | 5.1 |
| COTTAGE GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cottage Grove, MN | 5.0 |
| Eagle Ridge Middle School Savage, MN | 5.0 |
| PLYMOUTH MIDDLE Plymouth, MN | 5.0 |
| ROBERT BOECKMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Farmington, MN | 5.0 |
| DETROIT LAKES MIDDLE Detroit Lakes, MN | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dakota Middle School
What grades does Dakota Middle School serve?
Dakota Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dakota Middle School?
Dakota Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,003 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dakota Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dakota Middle School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dakota Middle School rank in MN?
Dakota Middle School ranks #1,559 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Dakota Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dakota Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Dakota Middle School a charter school?
No, Dakota Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dakota Middle School a Title I school?
No, Dakota Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dakota Middle School?
43.1% of students at Dakota 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,003
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Olmsted County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.6%
- Phone
- (507) 328-4530
Resources & Links
District
ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 17,342
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,804
- District Rank
- #22 of 34
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