Prairie Winds Middle School

954 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Prairie Winds Middle School, located in Mankato, Minnesota, serves as a key educational institution within the Mankato Area Public Schools district. The school is dedicated to fostering an environment that balances academic rigor with the social-emotional development necessary for students transitioning from elementary school to high school. By offering a diverse curriculum that encompasses core subjects, arts, and elective programs, the school strives to prepare its student body for future success while encouraging personal growth and community involvement.

In addition to its academic offerings, Prairie Winds Middle School emphasizes a supportive culture centered on student well-being and inclusivity. The school integrates various extracurricular activities, clubs, and athletic programs, providing students with multiple avenues to explore their interests, build leadership skills, and forge connections with peers. Through its commitment to staff collaboration and parent engagement, Prairie Winds aims to create a safe, stimulating atmosphere where every student is challenged and empowered to reach their full potential.

954

Total Students

54.8

Full-Time Teachers

17.4

Student/Teacher Ratio

39.8%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Prairie Winds Middle School
Demographic	Student Count
White	637
Hispanic	67
Black	164
Asian	22
Two or More	56
American Indian	7
Pacific Islander	1

White
637 (66.8 %)
Black
164 (17.2 %)
Hispanic
67 (7.0 %)
Two or More
56 (5.9 %)
Asian
22 (2.3 %)
American Indian
7 (0.7 %)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	MANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Phone:	(507)345-6625
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	954
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	54.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	17.4
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	322
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	58

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 292

Grade 7 319

Grade 8 343