South Washington County Schools

COTTAGE GROVE, Minnesota — 27 schools

19,159
Total Enrollment
27
Schools
$16,897
Per-Pupil Spending
Elementary, High
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

South Washington County Schools operates 27 public schools serving 19,159 students, placing it in the mid-size range in Minnesota. The school portfolio breaks down into 11 elementary, 6 high, 6 other, 4 middle schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. Aggregated across those campuses, enrollment totals 19,531 pupils using the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 release, and the district is geographically located in Washington County County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $16,897 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, which aggregates every revenue and spending line reported under federal accounting standards. The funding mix is 34.1% local, 59.0% state, and 6.9% federal — a breakdown that matters because districts leaning heavily on local revenue are more exposed to property-tax swings, while higher federal shares typically track Title I concentration. Average teacher compensation clocks in at $91,953 per NCES F-33, a signal of the district's ability to recruit and retain staff against neighbouring districts. The district's equity score — 22/100, ranked #392 of 417 in Minnesota against a state average of 50 — measures how evenly funding reaches schools within its boundaries.

Academic infrastructure includes 3 of 27 schools offering Advanced Placement (33 AP courses district-wide), a 341.8:1 student-counselor ratio, above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 20.5% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 55.9% White, 13.3% Asian, 10.8% Hispanic or Latino across the district's schools.

South Washington County Schools school enrollment varies 296× across entities

South Washington County Schools school enrollment ranges from 7 students (lowest) to 2,072 students (highest), a spread of 2,065 students. That ratio is among the widest observed and reflects extreme enrollment heterogeneity — the district operates both small specialty programs and large comprehensive campuses inside a single budgeting unit. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

South Washington County Schools student-counselor ratio is 342:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment — districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within South Washington County Schools is typically wider than the South Washington County Schools-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

South Washington County Schools chronic absenteeism rate is 20.5% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason — illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within South Washington County Schools is typically wider than the South Washington County Schools-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

6.9%
Federal
59.0%
State
34.1%
Local

Funding Equity

22
Equity Score
392 / 417
State Rank
50
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Local Rent Costs

Fair Market Rents in Washington County county, where this district is located.

$1,242
Studio/mo
$1,405
1 BR/mo
$1,709
2 BR/mo
$2,262
3 BR/mo
$2,531
4 BR/mo

Average Teacher Salary

$91,953
Average annual teacher salary

Source: NCES CCD F-33 (Finance Survey).

Teacher salary data from NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 27 schools in South Washington County Schools.

White 55.9%
Hispanic or Latino 10.8%
African American 10.7%
Asian 13.3%
Multiracial 8.9%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

3 / 27
Schools with AP
33 AP courses total
341.8:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
20.5%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in South Washington County Schools

School Enrollment
East Ridge High School
2,072
Park High School
1,992
Woodbury High School
1,943
Lake Middle School
1,165
Woodbury Middle School
1,160
Cottage Grove Middle School
1,005
Oltman Middle School
956
Liberty Ridge Elementary
801
Grey Cloud Elementary
797
Valley Crossing Elementary
734
Gordon Bailey Elementary
692
Red Rock Elementary
596
Ages 3-5 Early Childhood Special Ed
591
Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion
561
Middleton Elementary
557
Pine Hill Elementary
502
Woodbury Elementary
483
Royal Oaks Elementary
451
Cottage Grove Elementary
432
Crestview Elementary
425
Pullman Elementary
420
Hillside Elementary
417
Armstrong Elementary
325
Newport Elementary
264
South Washington Alternative Hs
97
Next Step Transition Program
86
Access
7

Nearby Districts in Minnesota

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Compare South Washington County Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in South Washington County Schools?

South Washington County Schools has 27 schools, including 6 high, 4 middle, 11 elementary, 6 other. Total enrollment is 19,159 students.

How much does South Washington County Schools spend per student?

South Washington County Schools spends $16,897 per student. The district has an equity score of 22/100, ranking #392 in Minnesota.

What is the average teacher salary in South Washington County Schools?

The average teacher salary in South Washington County Schools is $91,953 per year, according to the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

What is the average rent near South Washington County Schools?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Washington County County is $N/A/month (2026). This affects housing affordability for families in the district.

What is the demographic composition of South Washington County Schools?

South Washington County Schools students are 55.9% White, 13.3% Asian, 10.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% African American, averaged across 27 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for South Washington County Schools?

South Washington County Schools has an equity score of 22/100, ranking #392 out of 417 districts in Minnesota. This score measures resource distribution fairness across schools in the district.

Federal data Last updated 2026 Free public data

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