Average
#974 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 49% in state
Jackson County Central Middle
Middle School · JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST.
PO BOX 754, Lakefield, MN 56150
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakefield
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#59 of 280
In district
#3 of 4
JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST.
About Jackson County Central Middle
Jackson County Central Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Lakefield, Minnesota. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 236 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, Jackson County Central Middle provides a supportive learning environment where each student receives attention and guidance.
The academic performance at the school is in line with its ranking as the 46th percentile among Minnesota schools, placing it at number 1097 out of 2027 schools. In terms of proficiency scores, 45% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 46% are proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on developing its students' skills and knowledge.
Jackson County Central Middle School's setting offers a close-knit community feel with plenty of natural surroundings nearby. The remote rural location provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Jackson County Central Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Jackson County Central Middle — Students at Jackson County Central Middle score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
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: 6.8/10.
How Jackson County Central Middle Compares
See how Jackson County Central Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 48% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 43% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 754, Lakefield, MN 56150
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jackson County Central Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Round Lake-Brewster Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Brewster), with a very similar rating. Another option is Spirit Lake Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Spirit Lake), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WINDOM MIDDLE (rated 4.7/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Windom), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lakefield, see our Lakefield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield | 0.0 mi | 6.6 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Okabena | 8.8 mi | — |
| Heron Lake-Okabena Secondary Okabena | 8.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Jackson County Central Senior High Jackson | 9.1 mi | 5.6 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Jackson | 9.4 mi | 6.4 |
| HERON LAKE-OKABENA ELEMENTARY Heron Lake | 10.9 mi | 4.3 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER Windom | 13.5 mi | — |
| SWWC ELC - Windom Windom | 13.8 mi | 7.1 |
| SWWC ALC - Windom Windom | 13.8 mi | 6.2 |
| WINDOM SENIOR HIGH Windom | 14.0 mi | 6.0 |
| WINDOM MIDDLE Windom | 14.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Windom Area Elementary Windom | 14.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 18.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake | 18.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake | 18.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park | 17.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 17.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Round Lake-Brewster Elementary Brewster | 15.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Round Lake-Brewster Middle School Brewster | 15.1 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,224
Median Home Value
$128,500
Median Rent
$917/mo
Population
2,863
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
87.4%
Avg Commute
18.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jackson County Central Middle has a median household income of $69,224. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,500, with a median rent of $917/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Memorial Middle School Ely, MN | 6.5 |
| MELROSE MIDDLE Melrose, MN | 6.3 |
| MINNEWASKA AREA JUNIOR HIGH Glenwood, MN | 6.3 |
| WCA Middle School Barrett, MN | 6.3 |
| Franklin Middle Minneapolis, MN | 6.6 |
| MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Staples, MN | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jackson County Central Middle
What grades does Jackson County Central Middle serve?
Jackson County Central Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Jackson County Central Middle?
Jackson County Central Middle has an enrollment of approximately 236 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jackson County Central Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Jackson County Central Middle is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jackson County Central Middle rank in MN?
Jackson County Central Middle is ranked #974 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Jackson County Central Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Jackson County Central Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Jackson County Central Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jackson County Central Middle has 46.3% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jackson County Central Middle a charter school?
No, Jackson County Central Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jackson County Central Middle a Title I school?
No, Jackson County Central Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jackson County Central Middle?
39.4% of students at Jackson County Central Middle 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
- Low (58/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lakefield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 236
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (507) 662-6625
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST.- District Enrollment
- 1,104
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,939
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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