Average
#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
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie Wind Middle — Students at Prairie Wind Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
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: 5.5/10.
How Prairie Wind Middle Compares
See how Prairie Wind Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 58% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (218) 346-1700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,687
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,316
- District Rank
- #4 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
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.