At a glance
Reported students
486
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
33.94
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.3:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–07
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Minnesota middle enrollment
55th percentile
Compared with 331 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
360
Southwest Middle: 486 reported students.
State peer staffing position
29th percentile
14.3:1 reported; state peer median 16.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 537
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42.5
- Student–teacher ratio
- 12.6:1
What the reported data says about Southwest Middle
Southwest Middle is a public middle school serving grades 06–07 in Albert LEA. It is one of 9 current school records connected to Albert Lea Public School District. NCES reports 486 students for 2024–25.
Among 331 middle schools in Minnesota with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 418 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 55th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.3:1, below the Minnesota median of 16.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (53.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (26.7%). English learners represent 9.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 16.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Southwest Middle
- 1How do the reported 14.3:1 student–teacher ratio and 33.94 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 9.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 16.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 58.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White53.1%
- Hispanic26.7%
- Black3.9%
- Asian12.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Albert Lea Public School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Hawthorne Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
400 reported students
Lakeview Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
400 reported students
Halverson Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
360 reported students
Sibley Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
275 reported students
Albert Lea Area Learning Center
High · Grades 06–12
113 reported students
Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed
Other · Grades PK–PK
68 reported students
Public schools near Southwest Middle
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sibley Elementary Elementary · Albert Lea Public School District | PK–05 | 275 | under 0.1 mi |
| Lakeview Elementary Elementary · Albert Lea Public School District | PK–05 | 400 | 1 mi |
| Albert Lea Area Learning Center High · Albert Lea Public School District | 06–12 | 113 | 1.8 mi |
| Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Other · Albert Lea Public School District | PK–PK | 68 | 1.8 mi |
| Albert Lea Secondary Online Academy High · Albert Lea Public School District | 06–12 | 37 | 1.8 mi |
| Halverson Elementary Elementary · Albert Lea Public School District | PK–05 | 360 | 1.9 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Southwest Middle
What grades does Southwest Middle serve?
Southwest Middle reports grades 06–07 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Albert Lea Public School District.
How many students attend Southwest Middle?
Southwest Middle reported 486 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 55th percentile among 331 Minnesota middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 537 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Southwest Middle?
The calculated ratio is 14.3:1, based on 486 students and 33.94 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Minnesota median for the same school level is 16.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Southwest Middle a public, charter, or magnet school?
Southwest Middle is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Albert Lea Public School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Southwest Middle students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
58.2% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Southwest Middle in?
Southwest Middle is part of Albert Lea Public School District, based in Albert LEA, MN, which operates 9 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Southwest Middle?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Sibley Elementary (under 0.1 mi), Lakeview Elementary (1 mi), Albert Lea Area Learning Center (1.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.