Skip to main content

Average

#1387 of 1,992 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

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,387 of 1,992

In Mankato

#9 of 12

public schools

In district

#13 of 17

MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Prairie Winds Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Prairie Winds Middle School

5.5/10

Middle School in Mankato · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mankato East Senior High

6.6/10

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

Kennedy Elementary

6.5/10

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

About Prairie Winds Middle School

Prairie Winds Middle School is a public middle school in Mankato, MN, part of MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Prairie Winds Middle School serves approximately 914 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Winds Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,387 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Prairie Winds Middle School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • MN avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Prairie Winds Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,091
Chronic Absenteeism33.9%

Prairie Winds Middle School — Students at Prairie Winds Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.7% (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
61%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
44%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Prairie Winds Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in MN
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.9/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOYOLA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 2.6 miles away), 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 6.6
KENNEDY ELEMENTARY Mankato 1.0 mi 6.5
Mankato Schools Center for Learning Mankato 1.2 mi
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Mankato 1.9 mi 5.3
Rosa Parks Elementary Mankato 1.9 mi 5.3
LOYOLA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mankato 2.6 mi 8.3
Kato Public Charter School Mankato 2.6 mi 4.1
FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Mankato 2.8 mi 9.2
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mankato 2.9 mi 6.9
Prairie Care Mankato Mankato 2.9 mi
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Mankato 2.9 mi 8.9
SPECIAL EDUCATION Mankato 3.1 mi 5.6
Central High Area Learning Center Mankato 3.1 mi 5.7
CENTRAL FREEDOM SCHOOL Mankato 3.1 mi
Central Middle School ALC Mankato 3.1 mi
EAGLE LAKE ELEMENTARY Eagle Lake 3.2 mi 7.5
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mankato 3.7 mi 7.5
BRIDGES COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY North Mankato 3.5 mi 8.3
MONROE ELEMENTARY North Mankato 3.7 mi 5.5
MANKATO WEST SENIOR HIGH Mankato 3.5 mi 6.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHISAGO LAKES MIDDLE Lindstrom, MN 5.5
Joseph Nicollet Middle School Burnsville, MN 5.5
LEVI P. DODGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Farmington, MN 5.5
OLTMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Cottage Grove, MN 5.5
CHASKA MIDDLE SCHOOL WEST Chaska, MN 5.6
FALCON RIDGE MIDDLE Apple Valley, MN 5.4

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 ranks #1,387 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Prairie Winds Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Winds Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Winds Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Winds Middle School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
2 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

District

MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
8,276
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,091
District Rank
#13 of 17

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.