Mankato Public School District, MN

Original Research by School Decision on Mankato Public School District

Mankato Public School District serves roughly eight thousand students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade across a network of schools that includes two comprehensive high schools, two middle schools, several elementary schools, and a range of alternative programs. The district draws from the city of Mankato and surrounding communities such as North Mankato, Eagle Lake, Madison Lake, Kasota, Lake Crystal, Good Thunder, and Saint Peter. Home values across these communities vary, with the overall district-weighted figure sitting somewhat below the national median but above the typical Minnesota home value. Rents in the primary city have risen at a notable clip. The broader economic context shows a national unemployment rate that has been steady, and a mortgage rate that has fluctuated in the mid-single digits.

State testing results give a mixed but generally solid picture. In math, early elementary grades show a strong majority of students meeting standards; by grade six that share drops to slightly less than half, and it remains in that range through eighth grade. In reading, a similar pattern holds: most students in grades three through five score proficient, with grade five posting particularly strong results. Starting in grade six, reading proficiency slips to around half of students and stays there through grade eight. Science results are notably lower, with a modest share of fifth graders and an even smaller share of eighth graders meeting standards. The science assessment and cut scores changed recently, which may affect comparability with prior years. The district’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places it below the midpoint among Blue Earth County’s districts.

Chronic absenteeism is an area of concern. The district’s rate is higher than the median for its county, meaning a substantial portion of students miss enough school to be considered chronically absent. This is a soft spot a parent may want to explore further with the school. Per-pupil current spending sits in the upper range among county districts, indicating a higher level of investment per student.

Student composition is predominantly white, with a sizable Black population, a smaller Hispanic share, and modest numbers of Asian, multiracial, and Native American students. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education enrollment, and English learner status were not available in this profile, so a full picture of economic and support needs is incomplete. Graduation rate data were also missing, which prevents a read on how the district moves students through to completion at the high school level.

The district runs a number of specialized programs, including an online school, an alternative learning center, a night school, a summer school, and a center for learning. It also operates separate schools for special education and adult connections. These offerings suggest a system that reaches beyond the standard classroom to serve different student needs.

The housing market in the district’s footprint is moderately priced relative to national figures. The typical home in the core zip codes of Mankato and North Mankato is valued a bit below the state benchmark, while in Madison Lake values run higher. Rents in Mankato have increased. The typical household nationally earns a mid-range income, and the district’s home prices are roughly four times that income, making homeownership a stretch for some. Rent consumes a smaller share of income.

Publicly reported information about recent district initiatives, referendums, or curriculum changes was thin, so this account reflects the stable, longer-term profile of the district rather than any recent shift. A parent considering this area will find a mid-sized district with a broad range of schools and programs, academic performance that is solid in early grades and tapers in middle school, and a community where housing costs are manageable compared to many parts of the country but where chronic absenteeism warrants attention.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

8,276

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 8%

Black 13%

White 69%

Asian 2%

Two+ 7%

Am. Indian / AK Native 1%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

41%

64%

Gr 4

38%

68%

Gr 5

49%

77%

Gr 6

35%

62%

Gr 7

30%

61%

Gr 8

35%

61%

Math

Gr 3

56%

78%

Gr 4

52%

82%

Gr 5

45%

74%

Gr 6

32%

58%

Gr 7

22%

59%

Gr 8

30%

60%

Science

Gr 5

16%

30%

Gr 8

10%

25%

Schools in this District

26 schools are officially reported under this district.

Central High Area Learning Center

LIFE LINES ADULT CONNECTION

EAGLE LAKE ELEMENTARY

MANKATO EAST SENIOR HIGH

MANKATO WEST SENIOR HIGH

MONROE ELEMENTARY

ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY

Prairie Winds Middle School

Dakota Meadows Middle School

SPECIAL EDUCATION

BRIDGES COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY

CENTRAL FREEDOM SCHOOL

FUTURES PROGRAM

Rosa Parks Elementary

MANKATO AREA NIGHT SCHOOL

MANKATO AREA SUMMER SCHOOL

Prairie Care Mankato

Central Middle School ALC

Mankato Schools Center for Learning

Mankato Area Public Schools Online

Futures Sun

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

69%

Grade 3

70%

Grade 4

62%

Grade 5

48%

Grade 6

45%

Grade 7

49%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

55%

Grade 3

56%

Grade 4

65%

Grade 5

52%

Grade 6

49%

Grade 7

51%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

24%

Grade 5

19%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$328,132

Year-over-year change+4.5%

Range across 8 ZIP codes$284K to $443K

vs. state typical0.94x

vs. national typical0.89x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (8 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
56001	Mankato	$301K	+4.0%	50.9%
56003	North Mankato	$324K	+5.6%	21.4%
56063	Madison Lake	$443K	+5.7%	12.8%
56024	Eagle Lake	$338K	+4.1%	5.8%
56082	Saint Peter	$297K	+4.5%	4.1%
56050	Kasota	$350K	+2.3%	3.9%
56055	Lake Crystal	$284K	+6.9%	0.8%
56037	Good Thunder	$322K	+7.9%	0.2%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,329/mo

Year-over-year change+10.5%

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
56001	Mankato	$1,329	+10.5%	50.9%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,656/mo

Home price / national median income3.9x

Annual rent / national median income19.1%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$327/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$350,891 (+2.9% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.