Skip to main content

Average

#1151 of 1,986 schools in MN

Lester Prairie Secondary

High School · LESTER PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.

131 HICKORY ST N, Lester Prairie, MN 55354

Enrollment

242

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

6.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lester Prairie

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#306 of 628

In district

#2 of 2

LESTER PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Lester Prairie Secondary

Lester Prairie Secondary, nestled in the rural community of Lester Prairie, Minnesota, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 242 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.2:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment with 12 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Lester Prairie Secondary offers a range of programs to meet the diverse needs of its students.

Academically, the school has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #1213 among 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it around the 40th percentile statewide. Students perform at a level where 44% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 37% in Math. The school is focused on supporting students’ development with additional resources and programs to enhance academic success.

Lester Prairie Secondary stands out as part of a tight-knit rural community, providing a supportive environment for its young learners.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Lester Prairie Secondary is 20.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Lester Prairie Secondary 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,862

Lester Prairie Secondary — Students at Lester Prairie Secondary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Lester Prairie Secondary Compares

See how Lester Prairie Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in MN
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

131 HICKORY ST N, Lester Prairie, MN 55354

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lester Prairie Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.3/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Norwood Young America), which scores notably higher. Another option is MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Mayer), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED SEC. (rated 3.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Howard Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lester Prairie, see our Lester Prairie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LESTER PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY Lester Prairie 0.0 mi 6.2
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Winsted 5.4 mi 6.6
WINSTED ELEMENTARY Winsted 5.6 mi 6.1
HOWARD LAKE WAVERLY WINSTED ECSE Winsted 5.6 mi
HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED SEC. Howard Lake 9.8 mi 3.0
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle Howard Lake 9.8 mi 5.2
GLENCOE-SILVER LAKE SENIOR HIGH Glencoe 9.0 mi 2.7
GSL Junior High School Glencoe 9.0 mi 3.3
Lincoln Elementary Glencoe 9.0 mi 6.6
SWWC Alternative Learning Center - Glencoe 9.0 mi
LAKESIDE ELEMENTARY Glencoe 7.5 mi 6.9
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mayer 7.5 mi 4.2
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Glencoe 9.4 mi 5.9
MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Mayer 7.8 mi 6.4
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Norwood Young America 9.7 mi 7.3
ST JOHN S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Young America 9.5 mi 5.9
CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Norwood Young America 9.8 mi 7.3
CENTRAL MIDDLE Norwood Young America 9.8 mi 4.4
SUNSHINE HOUSE Hamburg 11.2 mi
EMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hamburg 11.2 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55354 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,950

Median Home Value

$243,600

Median Rent

$761/mo

Population

3,089

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

89%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

36.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lester Prairie Secondary has a median household income of $94,950. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,600, with a median rent of $761/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Paladin Career and Tech High School Coon Rapids, MN 6.0
WRENSHALL SECONDARY Wrenshall, MN 6.0
ADRIAN SECONDARY Adrian, MN 6.1
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha, MN 6.1
BURNSVILLE ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Eagan, MN 6.1
Community School of Excellence High Saint Paul, MN 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lester Prairie Secondary

What grades does Lester Prairie Secondary serve?

Lester Prairie Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Lester Prairie Secondary?

Lester Prairie Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 242 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lester Prairie Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Lester Prairie Secondary is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lester Prairie Secondary rank in MN?

Lester Prairie Secondary is ranked #1151 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Lester Prairie Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Lester Prairie Secondary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Lester Prairie Secondary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lester Prairie Secondary has 37.0% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lester Prairie Secondary a charter school?

No, Lester Prairie Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lester Prairie Secondary a Title I school?

No, Lester Prairie Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lester Prairie Secondary?

37.2% of students at Lester Prairie Secondary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (263/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lester Prairie). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
McLeod County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LESTER PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.
District Enrollment
459
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,162
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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.