Average
#1422 of 1,986 schools in MN
St. James Middle/high School
High School · ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
P. O. BOX 509, Saint James, MN 56081
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saint James
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#413 of 628
In district
#1 of 3
ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About St. James Middle/high School
St. James Middle/High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Saint James, Minnesota. Serving students from sixth grade through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 581 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
The school's setting is quite remote, offering a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters personal connections between students and faculty. St. James Middle/High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10, ranking it at the 49th percentile among Minnesota schools.
Academically, the school scores an average of 4.5 out of 10 on state assessments. In ELA and reading proficiency, 43% of students meet or exceed standards, while in math, 35% are proficient or above. While there is room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development within its rural setting.
The neighborhood around St. James Middle/High School does not provide specific data, but it is situated in a tight-knit community with strong local support and involvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, St. James Middle/high School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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St. James Middle/high School — Students at St. James Middle/high School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.1%
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: 7.8/10.
How St. James Middle/high School Compares
See how St. James Middle/high School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
P. O. BOX 509, Saint James, MN 56081
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St. James Middle/high School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY (rated 7.3/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Mountain Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMFREY SECONDARY (rated 7.2/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Comfrey), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Northrop), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saint James, see our Saint James schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST. JAMES NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Saint James | 0.2 mi | 4.6 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint James | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| ST. JAMES EARLY CHILDHOOD Saint James | 0.8 mi | — |
| Armstrong School Saint James | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield | 8.5 mi | 8.7 |
| BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield | 8.5 mi | 4.7 |
| MADELIA ELEMENTARY Madelia | 11.3 mi | 7.3 |
| MADELIA SECONDARY Madelia | 11.3 mi | 5.4 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Madelia | 11.4 mi | 7.2 |
| TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont | 16.3 mi | 7.5 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Truman | 14.5 mi | 5.6 |
| TRUMAN ELEMENTARY Truman | 14.9 mi | 7.1 |
| TRUMAN SECONDARY Truman | 14.9 mi | 5.2 |
| ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 15.3 mi | 6.0 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY Mountain Lake | 15.3 mi | 4.9 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake | 15.4 mi | 7.3 |
| COMFREY ELEMENTARY Comfrey | 16.2 mi | 9.0 |
| COMFREY SECONDARY Comfrey | 16.2 mi | 7.2 |
| MOUNTAIN LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake | 15.4 mi | 8.0 |
| MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Northrop | 19.8 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56081 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,612
Median Home Value
$153,400
Median Rent
$810/mo
Population
6,092
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
74.4%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding St. James Middle/high School has a median household income of $66,612. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,400, with a median rent of $810/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| MACCRAY Secondary Clara City, MN | 5.5 |
| MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY Woodbury, MN | 5.5 |
| CATHEDRAL Saint Cloud, MN | 5.6 |
| CLOQUET SENIOR Cloquet, MN | 5.6 |
| HMONG COLLEGE PREP ACADEMY HS Saint Paul, MN | 5.6 |
| INSIGHT SCHOOL OF MINNESOTA Brooklyn Center, MN | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St. James Middle/high School
What grades does St. James Middle/high School serve?
St. James Middle/high School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend St. James Middle/high School?
St. James Middle/high School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St. James Middle/high School?
The student-teacher ratio at St. James Middle/high School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does St. James Middle/high School rank in MN?
St. James Middle/high School is ranked #1422 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is St. James Middle/high School's MySchoolScout rating?
St. James Middle/high School has a composite rating of 5.5 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. James Middle/high School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St. James Middle/high School has 35.0% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St. James Middle/high School a charter school?
No, St. James Middle/high School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is St. James Middle/high School a Title I school?
No, St. James Middle/high School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St. James Middle/high School?
56.1% of students at St. James Middle/high 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (260/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Watonwan County
- Phone
- (507) 375-3381
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,150
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,649
- 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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