Best Public Schools in Zip Code 56303

The 56303 zip code area in St. Cloud, Minnesota is home to 11 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school, and 4 alternative schools, all part of the St. Cloud Public School District, except for two charter schools: Saint Cloud Math and Science Academy and Success Academy Saint Cloud.

Among the standout schools in the area, Westwood Elementary has the highest performance on state assessments, with over 40% of students proficient or better in math and reading. The charter school Saint Cloud Math and Science Academy also stands out, with a unique student demographic of over 96% African American students and relatively strong academic performance compared to the district and state averages. As the only high school in the data set, Apollo Senior High has a higher graduation rate and lower dropout rate than the alternative schools in the area.

The schools in the 56303 area serve diverse student populations, with significant percentages of African American, Hispanic, and multi-racial students. However, there are stark disparities in academic performance, with the higher-performing elementary and middle schools contrasting sharply with the lower-performing alternative schools. The alternative schools, such as Roosevelt Education Center and Katherine Johnson Education Center, struggle with very low proficiency rates, high dropout rates, and low graduation rates, highlighting the significant challenges they face in supporting their high-need student populations.