Average
#1266 of 1,986 schools in MN
Southwest Middle
Middle School · ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
1601 W FRONT ST, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Enrollment
455
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 7th
Enrollment
455
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Albert Lea
#6 of 8
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#103 of 280
In district
#6 of 8
ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Southwest Middle
Southwest Middle, located in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six and seven. With an enrollment of 455 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, Southwest Middle provides a supportive learning environment with ample teacher attention for each student. The school's setting in a remote town offers a close-knit community atmosphere.
Southwest Middle has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks at #1308 among 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it around the 36th percentile for academic performance. The school’s academic score is 3.8/10, indicating areas where improvements could be made. In ELA/Reading, 44% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 27% meet proficiency standards.
Southwest Middle focuses on nurturing student development and offers a range of programs to support its diverse learning community. The school is situated in Albert Lea, where it plays an important role in the local educational landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Middle — Students at Southwest Middle score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.4%
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: 5.4/10.
How Southwest Middle Compares
See how Southwest Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 41% (2022).
Location
1601 W FRONT ST, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HALVERSON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THEODORE'S EL (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Albert Lea, see our Albert Lea schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SIBLEY ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| ST THEODORE'S EL Albert Lea | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Albert Lea | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| HALVERSON ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Albert Lea Area Learning Center Albert Lea | 3.1 mi | 3.9 |
| ALBERT LEA SENIOR HIGH Albert Lea | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| GLENVILLE EMMONS ELEMENTARY Glenville | 7.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Success East Austin | 7.2 mi | — |
| GLENVILLE-EMMONS SECONDARY Glenville | 7.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Success West Austin | 7.7 mi | — |
| First Step Alden Austin | 9.4 mi | — |
| Enrich Alden Austin | 9.4 mi | — |
| ALDEN-CONGER ELEMENTARY Alden | 9.4 mi | 5.9 |
| ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY Alden | 9.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Next Step West (Alden) Alden | 9.5 mi | — |
| HOLLANDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hollandale | 12.3 mi | 6.2 |
| NRHEG ELEMENTARY Ellendale | 16.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Northwood-Kensett MIddle/High School Northwood | 15.5 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56007 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,479
Median Home Value
$161,100
Median Rent
$843/mo
Population
21,467
College Educated
18.1%
Homeownership
76.1%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
44
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Middle has a median household income of $66,479. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,100, with a median rent of $843/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNANDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Annandale, MN | 5.8 |
| E-STEM Middle School Woodbury, MN | 5.8 |
| MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Marshall, MN | 5.8 |
| Pillager Middle School Pillager, MN | 5.8 |
| ROBBINSDALE MIDDLE Robbinsdale, MN | 5.8 |
| Edgewood Middle School Mounds View, MN | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Middle
What grades does Southwest Middle serve?
Southwest Middle serves students in grades 6th through 7th.
How many students attend Southwest Middle?
Southwest Middle has an enrollment of approximately 455 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Middle rank in MN?
Southwest Middle is ranked #1266 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Southwest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Southwest Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Middle has 27.3% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest Middle a charter school?
No, Southwest Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Middle a Title I school?
No, Southwest Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Middle?
60.4% of students at Southwest 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
- High (1,704/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Albert Lea). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 7th
- Enrollment
- 455
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Freeborn County
- Phone
- (507) 379-5240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 3,338
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,107
- District Rank
- #6 of 8
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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