Original Research by School Decision on Apollo Senior High
Apollo Senior High is a regular public high school in St. Cloud, serving grades nine through twelve as part of the St. Cloud Area School District 742. It sits in a mid-sized regional center that blends residential neighborhoods, university and hospital campuses, and manufacturing and logistics employers. St. Cloud has a significant university presence and a notable immigrant community, with St. Cloud State University and CentraCare Health System among the largest employers. The school itself reflects that diversity in its student body.
Enrollment is substantial for a high school serving only four grades. A large share of students come from low-income households, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is racially and ethnically varied: the two largest groups are Black students and White students, each making up roughly a third of enrollment, followed by Hispanic students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. American Indian and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students together represent a very small share. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not included in the data available.
Academically, the available state assessment results cover only the most recent school year, so there is no trend to examine. On those tests, a minority of students met proficiency standards in English language arts, and an even smaller share did so in mathematics. Because only a single year’s data was reported, it is not possible to say whether performance is improving, holding steady, or declining. A parent may want to ask the school about longer-term academic patterns.
A key gap is the absence of a four-year graduation rate, which is a standard measure for a high school. The data did not provide one, and the reason was not given. Any family considering Apollo should inquire directly about graduation rates and what support the school offers to help students complete on time. Likewise, information on course offerings—such as Advanced Placement, dual-credit programs, or career and technical pathways—was not available in the data. The same applies to student discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, and staffing ratios.
The district itself did not report any recent major changes, such as boundary adjustments, new programming, or facility plans, leaving the sense that operations have been stable in the near term.
St. Cloud’s housing market is modest relative to national benchmarks, with typical home values and rents that make it an option for many households. The city sits roughly an hour’s drive northwest of the Twin Cities along an interstate corridor, and its economy is anchored by healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
In sum, Apollo Senior High offers a diverse, urban high school environment in a community with a strong institutional and industrial base. The student body reflects the city’s evolving demographics, including a substantial immigrant population. The academic proficiency data from state tests is modest, and the absence of a reported graduation rate and program information means families will need to gather more details directly. For a family that values diversity and a mid-sized city setting, this school may be a reasonable option once those open questions are answered.
See more original research from School Decision →