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Average

#708 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 36% in state

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

6.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#708 of 1,992

In Perham

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Prairie Wind Middle

6.8/10

Middle School in Perham · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Perham Area Learning Center

5.9/10

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

Perham Senior High

7.0/10

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

About Prairie Wind Middle

Prairie Wind Middle is a public middle school in Perham, MN, part of PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Prairie Wind Middle serves approximately 529 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Wind Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #708 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Prairie Wind Middle show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts above MN schools
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • MN avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Prairie Wind Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.91 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency51% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,316
Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

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 56.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.6% (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
71%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
59%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
59%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
59%
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: 7.9/10.

How Prairie Wind Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
65th percentile in MN
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

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 SECONDARY (rated 8.4/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Battle Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is BATTLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Battle Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY (rated 7.5/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby New York Mills), which scores slightly 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 5.9
PERHAM SENIOR HIGH Perham 0.1 mi 7.0
HEART OF THE LAKE ELEMENTARY Perham 0.1 mi 6.7
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 6.0
FRAZEE ELEMENTARY Frazee 11.5 mi 5.5
NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY New York Mills 10.7 mi 6.9
NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills 10.7 mi 7.5
HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning 19.6 mi 6.2
HENNING SECONDARY Henning 19.6 mi 6.5
BATTLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Battle Lake 21.9 mi 7.9
BATTLE LAKE SECONDARY Battle Lake 21.9 mi 8.4
DETROIT LAKES SENIOR HIGH Detroit Lakes 19.5 mi 7.5
Laker Transitions Detroit Lakes 20.2 mi
LINCOLN EARLY CHILDHOOD ED. CENTER Detroit Lakes 19.8 mi 3.9
DETROIT LAKES MIDDLE Detroit Lakes 20.2 mi 5.2
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Detroit Lakes 20.2 mi 5.8
DETROIT LAKES AREA LEARNING CENTER Detroit Lakes 20.4 mi 6.3
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Edgewood Middle School Mounds View, MN 6.8
WORTHINGTON MIDDLE Worthington, MN 6.8
Albany Area Middle School Albany, MN 6.7
HERMANTOWN MIDDLE Hermantown, MN 6.9
JORDAN MIDDLE Jordan, MN 7.0
LINCOLN PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Duluth, MN 7.0

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 ranks #708 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Prairie Wind Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Wind Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Prairie Wind Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Wind Middle has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

District

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

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