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Very Good

#577 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 29% in state

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

7.1

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#577 of 1,992

In Saint James

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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St. James Middle/high School

7.1/10

High School in Saint James · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St. James Northside Elementary

8.5/10

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

St Pauls Lutheran School

6.5/10

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

About St. James Middle/high School

St. James Middle/high School is a public high school in Saint James, MN, part of ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.

St. James Middle/high School serves approximately 581 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. St.

James Middle/high School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #577 of 1,992 schools in MN. Structured state assessment records for St. James Middle/high School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above MN schools
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

St. James Middle/high School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency39% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness6.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation11.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,649
Chronic Absenteeism7.4%

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
36%
ELA
54%
2010
Math
34%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
35%
ELA
44%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How St. James Middle/high School Compares

See how St. James Middle/high School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in MN
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
13
6 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
11.5% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics13sports offered
6 boys'·7 girls'·34 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

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 8.7/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Mountain Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMFREY SECONDARY (rated 7.9/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Comfrey), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MADELIA SECONDARY (rated 7.7/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Madelia), which scores slightly 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 8.5
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 3.4
BUTTERFIELD ELEMENTARY Butterfield 8.5 mi 5.6
BUTTERFIELD SECONDARY Butterfield 8.5 mi 5.0
MADELIA ELEMENTARY Madelia 11.3 mi 7.5
MADELIA SECONDARY Madelia 11.3 mi 7.7
ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Madelia 11.4 mi 7.2
TRIMONT ELEMENTARY Trimont 16.3 mi 6.9
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Truman 14.5 mi 5.6
TRUMAN ELEMENTARY Truman 14.9 mi 6.0
TRUMAN SECONDARY Truman 14.9 mi 6.2
ELMENDORF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake 15.3 mi 6.0
MOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY Mountain Lake 15.3 mi 5.5
MOUNTAIN LAKE SECONDARY Mountain Lake 15.4 mi 8.7
COMFREY ELEMENTARY Comfrey 16.2 mi 6.4
COMFREY SECONDARY Comfrey 16.2 mi 7.9
MOUNTAIN LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mountain Lake 15.4 mi 8.1
MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Northrop 19.8 mi 6.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cannon Falls Secondary Cannon Falls, MN 7.1
HAWLEY SECONDARY Hawley, MN 7.1
LILA Upper School Forest Lake, MN 7.1
LUVERNE SENIOR HIGH Luverne, MN 7.1
OSAKIS SECONDARY Osakis, MN 7.1
PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL Pine River, MN 7.1

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 ranks #577 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is St. James Middle/high School's MySchoolScout rating?

St. James Middle/high School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 St. James Middle/high School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, St. James Middle/high School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.4%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,150
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,649
District Rank
#2 of 3

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