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#1336 of 1,986 schools in MN

Prairie Wind Middle

Middle School · PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

480 CONEY ST WEST, Perham, MN 56573

Enrollment

529

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

5.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Perham

#4 of 4

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#123 of 280

In district

#4 of 4

PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Prairie Wind Middle

Prairie Wind Middle School in Perham, Minnesota is a regular public middle school serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 529 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated staff includes 29 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students’ academic and social development.

Prairie Wind Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, placing it in the 44th percentile among Minnesota schools. In terms of test performance, 60% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 49% are proficient or above in math. These results show that there is room for academic growth and improvement.

Located in a remote rural setting, Prairie Wind Middle School benefits from the close-knit community spirit of Perham. The school’s setting provides a unique backdrop for learning, with plenty of opportunities to explore nature and engage in local activities. Whether it's participating in after-school sports or joining clubs, students at Prairie Wind Middle School have a supportive environment that fosters growth both inside and outside the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Prairie Wind 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 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,394

Prairie Wind Middle — Students at Prairie Wind Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
59%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
58%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Prairie Wind Middle Compares

See how Prairie Wind Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
33th percentile in MN
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

480 CONEY ST WEST, Perham, MN 56573

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Wind Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BATTLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Battle Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby New York Mills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRAZEE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Frazee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Perham, see our Perham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PERHAM AREA LEARNING CENTER Perham 0.1 mi 6.1
PERHAM SENIOR HIGH Perham 0.1 mi 7.1
HEART OF THE LAKE ELEMENTARY Perham 0.1 mi 6.1
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Perham 0.6 mi 5.8
ST HENRYS AREA SCHOOL Perham 0.6 mi 5.0
FRAZEE SECONDARY Frazee 11.3 mi 4.5
FRAZEE ELEMENTARY Frazee 11.5 mi 7.2
NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY New York Mills 10.7 mi 7.3
NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills 10.7 mi 6.1
HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning 19.6 mi 7.1
HENNING SECONDARY Henning 19.6 mi 5.4
BATTLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Battle Lake 21.9 mi 8.8
BATTLE LAKE SECONDARY Battle Lake 21.9 mi 6.9
DETROIT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Detroit Lakes 19.5 mi 5.2
Laker Transitions Detroit Lakes 20.2 mi
LINCOLN EARLY CHILDHOOD ED. CENTER Detroit Lakes 19.8 mi 5.5
DETROIT LAKES MIDDLE Detroit Lakes 20.2 mi 5.4
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Detroit Lakes 20.2 mi 6.5
DETROIT LAKES AREA LEARNING CENTER Detroit Lakes 20.4 mi 6.1
HOLY ROSARY Detroit Lakes 20.1 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56573 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,080

Median Home Value

$256,900

Median Rent

$805/mo

Population

6,868

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

73.1%

Avg Commute

16.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Prairie Wind Middle has a median household income of $68,080. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $256,900, with a median rent of $805/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Edgewood Middle School Mounds View, MN 5.7
HUTCHINSON MIDDLE Hutchinson, MN 5.7
ANNANDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Annandale, MN 5.8
E-STEM Middle School Woodbury, MN 5.8
MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Marshall, MN 5.8
OAK GROVE MIDDLE Bloomington, MN 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Wind Middle

What grades does Prairie Wind Middle serve?

Prairie Wind Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Prairie Wind Middle?

Prairie Wind Middle has an enrollment of approximately 529 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Wind Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Wind Middle 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 Prairie Wind Middle rank in MN?

Prairie Wind Middle is ranked #1336 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Prairie Wind Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Wind Middle has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Prairie Wind Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Wind Middle has 49.0% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Prairie Wind Middle a charter school?

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

Is Prairie Wind Middle a Title I school?

No, Prairie Wind Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Wind Middle?

36.3% of students at Prairie Wind 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (377/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Otter Tail County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,687
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,316
District Rank
#4 of 4

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

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