Superior education is a cornerstone of the St. Cloud area’s economic success. Education is an invaluable investment in its residents’ lives. Area communities have ensured easy access to high-quality educational opportunities for students of all ages.
Public education
St. Cloud Area Independent School District 742 (isd742.org):
The largest public school district in Central Minnesota, serving over 10,000 K-12 students located in four counties with eight elementary schools, three middle level schools, two high schools, three alternative learning schools, early childhood services and community education. These schools are staffed with more than 850 teachers, 64 percent of whom hold advanced degrees.
- Sauk Rapids-Rice Independent School District 47 (www.isd47.org)
- Sartell-St. Stephen Independent School District 748 (www.sartell.k12.mn.us)
- Rocori Independent School District 750 (www.rocori.k12.mn.us)
charter schools
- Athlos Academy (athlosstcloud.org)
- Stride Academy (strideacademy.org)
- St. Cloud Math & Science Academy (scmsastem.com)
First-class private schools
The St. Cloud Catholic Community Schools (catholiccommunityschools.org) provide an option for parochial education through eight facilities located within the St. Cloud area. Seven preschool and elementary schools, plus Cathedral High School make up this new system, which was established in 2017.
Saint John’s Preparatory School (sjprep.net) is a Catholic/Benedictine, co-educational, day and boarding International baccalaureate college preparatory school for students in grades 6-12. The school is located within the 2,700 acres of woods and lakes of Saint John’s University’s campus in Central Minnesota.
St. Cloud Christian School (stcloudchristian.org) is an independent nondenominational Christian school providing K-12 education.
Higher education
St. Cloud State University (stcloudstate.edu) serves more than 15,000 students with nearly 200 majors, minors and pre-professional programs, along with nearly 250 clubs and organizations, a state-of-the-art library, NCAA athletics (including NCAA Division I hockey) and opportunities for recreational and cultural enrichment.
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (csbsju.edu) serve nearly 3,700 students with 37 major and 40 minor programs. They have earned recognition as two of the top Catholic liberal arts colleges in the U.S., with an integrated learning environment that allows students to share an academic program while attending classes at both the St. Joseph and Collegeville campuses.
St. Cloud Technical and Community College (sctcc.edu) serves more than 6,000 students with more than 90 programs of study, including certificate, diploma and associate degree programs in science, applied science and arts.
The College of St. Scholastica (css.edu) has an outreach program in St. Cloud. Students are able to complete their undergraduate and, in some cases, graduate degrees during evenings and weekends and online, often through accelerated learning programs.
Rasmussen College (rasmussen.edu) is a private, two- and four-year degree-granting college that offers on-campus, online and blended-learning courses with a flexible schedule.
Community education
Lifelong educational, social and recreational learning opportunities are readily available to people of all ages in the St. Cloud area. Area school district community education programs offer adult and youth enrichment, aquatics and early childhood developmental screening. St. Cloud State University’s Center for Continuing Studies brings degree programs and professional development training to adult learners. St. Cloud’s Whitney Senior Center offers Third Age University courses.