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Average

#1226 of 1,992 schools in MN

Paynesville Area Secondary School

High School · Paynesville Area Schools

795 BUSINESS 23 W, Paynesville, MN 56362

Enrollment

484

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,226 of 1,992

In Paynesville

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Paynesville Area Schools

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Paynesville Area Secondary School

5.8/10

High School in Paynesville · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Paynesville Area Elementary

5.5/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Riverview Christian School

Nearby

8.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Paynesville Area Secondary School

Paynesville Area Secondary School is a public high school in Paynesville, MN, part of Paynesville Area Schools. Paynesville Area Secondary School serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Paynesville Area Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,226 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Paynesville Area Secondary School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below MN schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Paynesville Area Secondary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,238
Chronic Absenteeism19.8%

Paynesville Area Secondary School — Students at Paynesville Area Secondary School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
44.5%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
34%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Paynesville Area Secondary School Compares

See how Paynesville Area Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in MN
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·36 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

795 BUSINESS 23 W, Paynesville, MN 56362

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paynesville Area Secondary School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Albany Area High School (rated 8.2/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Albany), which scores notably higher. Another option is A.C.G.C. SECONDARY (rated 7.2/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Grove City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW LONDON-SPICER SR. (rated 6.8/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby New London), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Paynesville, see our Paynesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Paynesville Area Elementary Paynesville 0.7 mi 5.5
RIVERVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grove City 8.9 mi
EDEN VALLEY SECONDARY Eden Valley 9.5 mi 6.6
EDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY Eden Valley 9.8 mi 7.6
STS. PETER & PAUL SCHOOL Richmond 11.6 mi 5.1
RICHMOND ELEMENTARY Richmond 11.7 mi 9.6
NEW LONDON-SPICER MIDDLE New London 11.9 mi 8.4
NEW LONDON-SPICER SR. New London 11.9 mi 6.8
NEW LONDON ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL New London 11.9 mi
A.C.G.C. SECONDARY Grove City 16.1 mi 7.2
ACGC ELEMENTARY GRADES 5 AND 6 Grove City 16.1 mi 5.2
PRAIRIE WOODS ELEMENTARY New London 12.3 mi 7.5
A.C.G.C. ELEMENTARY Atwater 16.8 mi 6.9
ST JOHNS-ST ANDREWS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greenwald 17.1 mi 5.3
Prairie Meadows Learning Center New London 14.6 mi
BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA SEC. Belgrade 14.3 mi 6.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Freeport 20.1 mi 4.8
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Albany 19.3 mi 5.0
Albany Area Middle School Albany 19.6 mi 6.7
Albany Area High School Albany 19.6 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56362 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,536

Median Home Value

$242,700

Median Rent

$888/mo

Population

5,560

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

82.6%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

45.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CONCORDIA ACADEMY Roseville, MN 5.8
REDWOOD VALLEY SENIOR HIGH Redwood Falls, MN 5.8
ST. CHARLES SECONDARY Saint Charles, MN 5.8
CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Norwood Young America, MN 5.7
GOODHUE SECONDARY Goodhue, MN 5.7
HAYFIELD SECONDARY Hayfield, MN 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paynesville Area Secondary School

What grades does Paynesville Area Secondary School serve?

Paynesville Area Secondary School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Paynesville Area Secondary School?

Paynesville Area Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paynesville Area Secondary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paynesville Area Secondary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paynesville Area Secondary School rank in MN?

Paynesville Area Secondary School ranks #1,226 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Paynesville Area Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paynesville Area Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Paynesville Area Secondary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paynesville Area Secondary School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Paynesville Area Secondary School a charter school?

No, Paynesville Area Secondary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paynesville Area Secondary School a Title I school?

No, Paynesville Area Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paynesville Area Secondary School?

29.8% of students at Paynesville Area Secondary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Stearns County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.8%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Paynesville Area Schools
District Enrollment
920
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,238
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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