Excellent
#209 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 11% in state
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper
High School · ST. CROIX PREPARATORY ACADEMY
4260 STAGECOACH TR N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Stillwater
#1 of 15
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#13 of 628
In district
#1 of 3
ST. CROIX PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper
ST. CROIX PREPARATORY ACADEMY UPPER stands as one of Minnesota's premier public charter high schools, serving 375 students in grades 9-12 with an impressive student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, this school has earned exceptional recognition, ranking #5 out of 2,027 schools statewide and achieving a remarkable MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10.
The school's academic excellence is evident in its outstanding test performance, with 87% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 77% achieving proficiency or above in Mathematics. These strong results reflect the school's commitment to rigorous academics and individual attention made possible by its smaller class sizes. Students at St.
Croix Preparatory Academy Upper benefit from being part of a well-educated community where half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school draws families from an affluent area with a median household income of $111,571 and a low poverty rate of just 5.0%. Located in Stillwater on Stagecoach Trail North, the school sits in a town setting on the fringe of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, offering students both small-town charm and access to urban opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper — Students at St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.2%
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: 5.5/10.
How St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper Compares
See how St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
4260 STAGECOACH TR N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF THE ST CROIX VALLEY (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOL INC. (rated 5.7/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Stillwater, see our Stillwater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST. CROIX PREPARATORY ACADEMY LOWER Stillwater | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| St. Croix Prep Academy Middle Stillwater | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| MN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY-STILLWATER Bayport | 1.1 mi | — |
| ANDERSEN ELEMENTARY Bayport | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| WCJC Stillwater | 1.7 mi | — |
| SALEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stillwater | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| STILLWATER DIST. SPECIAL SERVICES Stillwater | 1.9 mi | — |
| Bridge Transition Program Stillwater | 1.9 mi | — |
| Stillwater Middle School Stillwater | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| GATE 4/5 Stillwater | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| A/O PROGRAM White Bear Lake | 2.3 mi | — |
| STILLWATER SPECIAL SERVICES-ECSE Stillwater | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| ST CROIX CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stillwater | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF THE ST CROIX VALLEY Stillwater | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOL INC. Stillwater | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Houlton Elementary Houlton | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Hudson 4K Houlton | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| LILY LAKE ELEMENTARY Stillwater | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Marine Area Community School Stillwater | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
| North Hudson Elementary Hudson | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55082 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,538
Median Home Value
$459,500
Median Rent
$1,439/mo
Population
36,414
College Educated
52.8%
Homeownership
77.5%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
6%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper has a median household income of $117,538. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $459,500, with a median rent of $1,439/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| GREENWAY SENIOR HIGH Coleraine, MN | 7.9 |
| MPS Online 6-12 Minneapolis, MN | 7.9 |
| Parnassus Prep School-Rhetoric Maple Grove, MN | 7.9 |
| ST CROIX LUTHERAN ACADEMY West Saint Paul, MN | 8.1 |
| ST JOHN'S PREPARATORY SCHOOL Collegeville, MN | 7.8 |
| RTR Secondary School Tyler, MN | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper
What grades does St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper serve?
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper?
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper?
The student-teacher ratio at St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper rank in MN?
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper is ranked #209 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper's MySchoolScout rating?
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper has a composite rating of 8.0 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 St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper has 78.7% math proficiency and 90.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper a charter school?
Yes, St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper a Title I school?
No, St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper?
11.2% of students at St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Stillwater). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (651) 395-5970
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. CROIX PREPARATORY ACADEMY- District Enrollment
- 1,202
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,818
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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