Central Public School District, MN

Original Research by School Decision on Central Public School District

Central Public School District serves a rural and small-town stretch of Carver County, southwest of the Twin Cities metro. It covers communities such as Norwood Young America, Hamburg, Green Isle, and Mayer, with home values that fall roughly in the middle of the state range, though a modest year-over-year increase has held steady. The district’s weighted home value sits near the state’s typical figure, and the area’s estimated monthly mortgage payment, based on a recent national rate, represents a substantial share of the national median household income, a factor families should weigh when considering affordability.

The district enrolls a moderate-sized student body across a single elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Its student population is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic minority and a modest share of multiracial students. Data on economic disadvantage and special education identification were not available in the records reviewed. The grade span runs from prekindergarten through twelfth grade, and the district has three physical campuses.

On state assessments, performance varies noticeably by grade level and subject. In the early elementary grades, math proficiency reaches a high level, well above half of tested students meeting the state’s standard. By fourth grade, reading proficiency also rises to a similarly strong level. However, the middle school years show a marked decline. In sixth grade math, only about a third of students met the bar, and seventh grade reading proficiency dropped to roughly the same level. Science results are notably lower in both tested grades, with rates at a level that parents may want to discuss further with the school to understand local factors. The district’s overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quarter of Carver County’s districts, a group that includes six districts in total. At the same time, per-pupil spending sits in the upper range among these neighboring districts, which suggests that the district devotes significant resources to its operations, potentially tied to recent facility investments.

Chronic absenteeism, a metric that tracks students missing a substantial share of school days, is slightly above the county midpoint. While the rate is not the highest in the county, it is an area where some families may want to inquire about the district’s attendance supports, as extended absences can affect academic momentum.

A graduation rate for the district was listed as missing in the available data, so this narrative cannot speak to how many students complete high school within four years. For a district that serves a full high school, that is a notable gap; parents may wish to ask the district directly for its most recent cohort results.

The district has undergone major capital construction projects, with publicly reported spending on facility work in a recent fiscal year reflecting a substantial investment in its physical plant. This type of spending often means updated classrooms, improved infrastructure, or new spaces, all of which can shape the daily experience for students and families over the long run. The exact nature and scope of these projects were not detailed in the sources reviewed, so parents would benefit from reviewing district documents or attending a school board meeting for specifics.

In terms of the peer environment, the student body is relatively homogeneous in racial composition compared to some county peers, and the district’s size keeps class groups small across the elementary and middle school grades. The housing market across the communities served is relatively stable, with home values growing modestly and a range that spans from more affordable towns like Green Isle to higher-valued areas near Norwood Young America. This variation means that families moving into the district may find a range of housing options, but the weighted average is roughly in line with state norms.

For a parent weighing this district, the picture is mixed. Early elementary performance is a strength, and the district invests heavily per pupil. But proficiency softens in the middle grades, and science results are low enough to warrant a closer look at curriculum and instruction. The chronic absenteeism rate, while not extreme, is above the county median. The lack of a reported graduation rate is a missing piece that would normally help gauge how well the district carries students through to completion. The ongoing facility upgrades are a tangible benefit that may improve the learning environment over time. This district fits a family seeking a small, non-metro setting with above-average per-pupil spending and a recent focus on capital improvements, but one who will want to ask pointed questions about middle school academic support and long-term outcomes for high school students.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

943

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 8%

Black 2%

White 84%

Asian 0%

Two+ 6%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

50%

59%

Gr 4

56%

73%

Gr 5

45%

73%

Gr 6

52%

49%

Gr 7

15%

42%

Gr 8

47%

68%

Math

Gr 3

63%

89%

Gr 4

50%

88%

Gr 5

25%

63%

Gr 6

26%

38%

Gr 7

15%

49%

Gr 8

33%

58%

Science

Gr 5

15%

37%

Gr 8

20%

25%

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH

CENTRAL ELEMENTARY

CENTRAL MIDDLE

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

79%

Grade 3

77%

Grade 4

52%

Grade 5

33%

Grade 6

43%

Grade 7

53%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

56%

Grade 3

68%

Grade 4

65%

Grade 5

50%

Grade 6

37%

Grade 7

63%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

30%

Grade 5

24%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$374,108

Year-over-year change+3.0%

Range across 8 ZIP codes$316K to $455K

vs. state typical1.07x

vs. national typical1.02x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (8 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
55368	Norwood Young America	$358K	+4.3%	31.9%
55397	Norwood Young America	$345K	+1.4%	24.1%
55322		$455K	+2.4%	21.5%
55339	Hamburg	$354K	+3.5%	17.8%
55338	Green Isle	$316K	+5.4%	2.8%
55360	Mayer	$392K	+1.8%	1.1%
56011	Belle Plaine	$353K	+2.2%	0.7%
55367	New Germany	$394K	+4.4%	0.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,888/mo

Home price / national median income4.5x

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.