Average
#1600 of 1,986 schools in MN
Prairie Winds Middle School
Middle School · MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
1200 PRAIRIE WINDS DR, Mankato, MN 56001
Enrollment
914
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
914
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mankato
#12 of 12
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#169 of 280
In district
#16 of 17
MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Prairie Winds Middle School
Prairie Winds Middle School serves 914 students in grades 6-8 in Mankato, Minnesota. With 51 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, providing opportunities for meaningful student-teacher interactions. The school is working to strengthen academic outcomes, with 44% of students performing proficiently in English Language Arts and 37% in mathematics.
These results indicate areas with room for academic growth, and the school's dedicated staff continues focusing on student development across all grade levels. Prairie Winds ranks in the 34th percentile among Minnesota middle schools, reflecting ongoing efforts to support student achievement. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $65,317 and median home values reach $249,400.
With 38% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, families value educational opportunities, though the 20.5% poverty rate indicates varying socioeconomic backgrounds among students. Prairie Winds Middle School operates in Mankato's small city environment, part of Blue Earth County's educational landscape. The school's location on Prairie Winds Drive places it within a community of over 50,000 residents who appreciate both urban amenities and the welcoming atmosphere that characterizes southern Minnesota communities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie Winds Middle School — Students at Prairie Winds Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
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: 5.0/10.
How Prairie Winds Middle School Compares
See how Prairie Winds Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
1200 PRAIRIE WINDS DR, Mankato, MN 56001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Winds Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EAGLE LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Eagle Lake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mankato, see our Mankato schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MANKATO EAST SENIOR HIGH Mankato | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| KENNEDY ELEMENTARY Mankato | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Mankato Schools Center for Learning Mankato | 1.2 mi | — |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Mankato | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary Mankato | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| LOYOLA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mankato | 2.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Kato Public Charter School Mankato | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Mankato | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mankato | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Prairie Care Mankato Mankato | 2.9 mi | — |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Mankato | 2.9 mi | 8.7 |
| SPECIAL EDUCATION Mankato | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Central High Area Learning Center Mankato | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| CENTRAL FREEDOM SCHOOL Mankato | 3.1 mi | — |
| Central Middle School ALC Mankato | 3.1 mi | — |
| EAGLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Eagle Lake | 3.2 mi | 8.5 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mankato | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| BRIDGES COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY North Mankato | 3.5 mi | 7.6 |
| MONROE ELEMENTARY North Mankato | 3.7 mi | 8.2 |
| MANKATO WEST SENIOR HIGH Mankato | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,224
Median Home Value
$263,100
Median Rent
$1,088/mo
Population
50,960
College Educated
36.6%
Homeownership
54.5%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Median Age
28.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Winds Middle School has a median household income of $67,224. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,100, with a median rent of $1,088/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn Middle STEAM School Brooklyn Park, MN | 5.1 |
| FARIBAULT MIDDLE Faribault, MN | 5.1 |
| BIG LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Big Lake, MN | 5.0 |
| COTTAGE GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cottage Grove, MN | 5.0 |
| ROSEMOUNT MIDDLE Rosemount, MN | 5.0 |
| SUNRISE PARK MIDDLE White Bear Lake, MN | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Winds Middle School
What grades does Prairie Winds Middle School serve?
Prairie Winds Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Prairie Winds Middle School?
Prairie Winds Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 914 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Winds Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Winds Middle School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Winds Middle School rank in MN?
Prairie Winds Middle School is ranked #1600 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Prairie Winds Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Winds Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Winds Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Winds Middle School has 42.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Winds Middle School a charter school?
No, Prairie Winds Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Winds Middle School a Title I school?
No, Prairie Winds Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Winds Middle School?
47.2% of students at Prairie Winds Middle 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,874/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mankato). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 914
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Blue Earth County
- Phone
- (507) 345-6625
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 8,276
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,091
- District Rank
- #16 of 17
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
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