East Central School District

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 20 towns

Serves Sandstone, Dell Grove Township, Sandstone Township, Partridge Township, Ogema Township, Finlayson Township, Norman Township, Askov, Nickerson Township, Kerrick Township, Kroschel Township, Bruno Township, Wilma Township, Arna Township, Fleming Township, Danforth Township, New Dosey Township, Kerrick, Park Township and Bruno, and parts of Kettle River Township and Wagner Township.

Students

732

Schools

Spent per student

$14,614

MN $17,091

Students per teacher

14:1

Free or reduced lunch

45%

Debt

$20.9M

fiscal 2024

The gist

What stands out about East Central School District

School Grade C: better than 26% of Minnesota districts
Math proficiency 11 pts below the state
Reading / language arts 13 pts below the state
Graduation rate (4-year) 20 pts below the state
Spends 14% less per student than the MN average
14 students per teacher
Debt of $20.9M, about $28,552 per student

Where would my kid go?

The school path for Rockford Township.

K–56 elementary schoolsBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools

6–8Buffalo Community MiddleBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools

9–12Buffalo Senior HighBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools

Test scores vs. MN

2020–21

Math proficiency33%

State average 44.2%

Reading / language arts40%

State average 52.5%

Graduation rate (4-year)64%

State average 84.4%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$14,614 per student · 14% below MN

Spending

Classroom instruction 60%Support & administration 35%Other 5%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 25%State 65%Federal 11%

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time

735’20

779’21

777’22

765’23

732’24

About steady.

Students

White 78%American Indian/Alaska Native 8%Two or more races 7%Hispanic 4%Black <1%Asian <1%

Schools in the district

4 public schools.

East Central Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Finlayson

C+

391 students14:1

East Central Early Childhood

Elementary · Grades PK–K · Finlayson

0 students

East Central Senior Secondary

High · Grades 7–12 · Finlayson

309 students14:1

Crossroads Area Learning Center

High · Grades 7–12 · Finlayson

C−

32 students16:1

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

Hinckley-Finlayson School DistrictArlone Township, Barry Township, Clover Township

$16,168per student

Willow River Public School DistrictBremen Township, Millward Township, Rutledge

$15,595per student

Webster School DistrictBlaine, Dairyland, Swiss

$16,276per student

McGregor Public School DistrictMillward Township, Williams Township

$18,762per student

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.