At a glance
Reported students
887
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
49.64
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Minnesota middle enrollment
83rd percentile
Compared with 331 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
242
Prairie Winds Middle School: 887 reported students.
State peer staffing position
67th percentile
17.9:1 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
- 1,080
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Student–teacher ratio
- 17.1:1
What the reported data says about Prairie Winds Middle School
Prairie Winds Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Mankato. It is one of 26 current school records connected to Mankato Public School District. NCES reports 887 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 83rd percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.9:1, close to 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 (63.4%) and Black (18.7%). English learners represent 5% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Prairie Winds Middle School
- 1How do the reported 17.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 49.64 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 2 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
- 5%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.4%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 42.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.33
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White63.4%
- Hispanic8.9%
- Black18.7%
- Asian1.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.8%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.3%
- Multiracial6.1%
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
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 Mankato Public School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Dakota Meadows Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
852 reported students
Central Middle School ALC
Middle · Grades 06–08
0 reported students
Mankato West Senior High
High · Grades 09–12
1,232 reported students
Mankato East Senior High
High · Grades 09–12
1,302 reported students
Hoover Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
461 reported students
Rosa Parks Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
425 reported students
Public schools near Prairie Winds Middle School
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato East Senior High High · Mankato Public School District | 09–12 | 1,302 | 0.9 mi |
| Kennedy Elementary Elementary · Mankato Public School District | PK–05 | 347 | 1 mi |
| Mankato Schools Center for Learning Other · Mankato Public School District | PK–PK | 165 | 1.2 mi |
| Insite High · Mankato Public School District | 12–12 | 18 | 1.5 mi |
| Central Middle School ALC Middle · Mankato Public School District | 06–08 | 0 | 3.1 mi |
| Dakota Meadows Middle School Middle · Mankato Public School District | 06–08 | 852 | 5.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Prairie Winds Middle School
What grades does Prairie Winds Middle School serve?
Prairie Winds Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Mankato Public School District.
How many students attend Prairie Winds Middle School?
Prairie Winds Middle School reported 887 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 83rd percentile among 331 Minnesota middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,080 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Prairie Winds Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 17.9:1, based on 887 students and 49.64 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 Prairie Winds Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Prairie Winds Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Mankato Public School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Prairie Winds Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
42.8% 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 Prairie Winds Middle School in?
Prairie Winds Middle School is part of Mankato Public School District, based in Mankato, MN, which operates 26 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Prairie Winds Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Mankato East Senior High (0.9 mi), Kennedy Elementary (1 mi), Mankato Schools Center for Learning (1.2 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.