The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Benton-stearns Education - Asd
Benton-Stearns Education - ASD is a special education school in Sartell, Minnesota, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. It operates under the Benton-Stearns Education District, a cooperative that provides specialized programming for six member districts in central Minnesota. The school’s designation as a special education school means it serves students with significant disabilities, a fact that shapes every aspect of what is measured and reported here.
The student body is very small. Enrollment, composition, and the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals are all available, but the most telling numbers are not. The school has a very small number of students, predominantly white, with a modest African American and multiracial presence. A substantial share of students come from low-income households. Information on students with Individualized Education Programs and English learners was not reported, which may be because the entire student population is served under special education and the category becomes less meaningful, though a parent should confirm with the school.
State assessment data is available for a few grade levels, and it tells a clear but narrow story. In mathematics and English language arts, the share of students meeting Minnesota proficiency standards was at the lowest reported level in each tested grade for the most recent school year. For science, the result from the prior year was suppressed due to a very small number of test-takers, a standard privacy practice when counts are minimal. These results are not surprising for a school whose mission is to serve students with disabilities that significantly affect academic performance. The state tests are designed for a general education population, and many students at this school may be assessed through alternative measures. A parent looking at these numbers should understand the context: this is not a typical school, and a straightforward proficiency rate does not capture the academic progress a student might make here. The school or its district would be the best source for information on how individual growth is evaluated.
When compared with other public school districts in Stearns County, this school’s overall proficiency index fell in the bottom quartile. That comparison is less informative than it might be for a standard district, because it pits a specialized special education program against comprehensive districts serving a broad student population.
The community the school is located in, Sartell, is a primarily residential suburb of St. Cloud that straddles the Mississippi River. It has grown rapidly in recent decades, adding chain businesses and new housing, though it lacks a traditional downtown. The city operates a large park system with walking paths, bike lanes, and recreational facilities, and is car-dependent, with St. Cloud Metro Bus providing some transit. Historically, the Verso Paper mill was a major employer, but it closed after an explosion several years ago; newer commercial development is reshaping the local economy. Housing values in the area sit close to the statewide benchmark, and rents are moderate.
The Benton-Stearns Education District itself, which runs this school, is a special education cooperative. Public records did not show any recent changes or strategic initiatives of particular interest to a parent, likely because the district’s work is highly specialized and operates behind the scenes of its member districts.
In summary, Benton-Stearns Education - ASD is not a school whose performance can be judged by typical proficiency rates or graduation data. It exists to serve a specific population with significant needs. A family whose child is placed here will already be working closely with the district’s special education team, and those conversations will provide a far more meaningful picture than state test scores.
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