Cotter Schools (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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About the School

Cotter Schools proudly welcomes students in Pre-K through 12th grade to learn on our safe, vibrant campus.
From Nachos Day in the cafeteria to cozy study spots, life at Cotter is filled with special moments.
Our supportive academic programs, dual credit options, and connections to local colleges help students succeed alongside motivated peers.
Students enjoy a warm small-town community, and opportunities for worship, service, sports, and the arts.
Discover how Cotter Schools can help you grow, succeed, and build memories that shape your future.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked MN School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 978 students
Yearly Tuition: $38,000
Acceptance rate: 94%
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Cotter Schools ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Minnesota for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Other school association(s)
AdvancED, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Council on Accreditation and School Improvement

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Cotter Schools
Kind	54
1	60
2	61
3	72
4	73
5	81
6	93
7	84
8	101
9	78
10	74
11	79
12	68

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1911

Colors

White, Royal blue

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Fri. May 28, 2027

Campus Size

45 acres

Student Body

Total Students

978 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

20%

State avg.: 23%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

35 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

28:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

86%

Average Class Size

16 students

Number of AP Courses

10 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AP BiologyAP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BCAP Computer Science A

AP Human GeographyAP Language & Composition

AP Literature & CompositionAP Physics

AP United States GovernmentAP US History

Average SAT score

1360

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Collared shirt, Khaki pants, shorts or skirts

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$38,000

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Domestic Boarding - $38,000 International Tuition Rate - $55,000 (All inclusive - tuition, room and board, insurance, activities, travel from local airport to school, sports fees and testing)

% on Financial Aid

30%

Acceptance Rate

94%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

98%

Admissions Director

Jeff Novakoski

Admissions Associate

Erin Koetz

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

19 sports

Sports

BalletBaseball

BasketballCross Country

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWeightlifting

Wrestling

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Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

24 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Academic WorldQuestActive Minds

Bike LabCampus Ministry

Debate TeamHistroy Club

Math TeamMock Trial

Model LegislatureNational Honor Society

Parmies Knitting ClubPersonal Finance Decathlon

Photography ClubSpeech Team

Student CouncilYearbook

Arts and Music Programs:

DramaMarching Band

Music ListeningMusic Ministry

Musical TheaterPep Band

Show ChoirTheater

School Notes

School Motto: Veritatem Vereantur
School Mascot: Rowdy

Founded in 1911, Cotter Schools, is a private, co-educational day and boarding school located in Winona, Minnesota, USA. Cotter Schools serves motivated and engaged students from 16 months through grade 12. Cotter Schools offers boarding for students in grades 7-12. With over 1,200 students from the Winona area and from over 14 countries around the world. Together, we are Cotter!At Cotter Schools, our mission is to challenge students to achieve their full potential and use their lives in the service of others. Our interdisciplinary, liberal arts education helps students develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, preparing them to meet the needs of an ever-changing world.More than 98 percent of our students go on to college and attend some of the best schools in the country. Our curriculum includes numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses that offer a more rigorous curriculumand the potential for earning college credit.At Cotter Schools, you'll experience faith and community, excellence in education, individualized attention, and opportunities to grow. Our goal is to challenge, support, and inspire our students! Cotter is, and always will be, a place where we challenge YOU to be the difference!

MISSION:
Cotter Schools challenges students to achieve their full potential and use their lives in the service of others.
BELIEFS:
-As a Catholic learning community, we believe: God is present in all creation.
-Each person is valuable and deserves respect.
-Education prepares peopleto build a better world.
-In community, everyone grows.
COTTER CORE VALUES:
- Community
- Faith
- Service
- Respect

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Bob Kierlin '57 - Founder of Fastenal Company, a $7.5 Billion Fortune 500 company.
- Damien Fair '94 - Was awarded a MacArthur "Genius Grand" for his work on stydying the brain while at rest.
- Jay Carrol '80 - Founder and CEO of Carroll Management Consultants and SeQuel Response. Also played as a tightend for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings ('84-'86)
- Andy Ballard '01 - A Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry for developing a program which, using artificial intelligence, solved the riddle of predicting protein structures.
- Chris Green '91 - Top 5 trial lawyers in Massachusetts and top 50 trial lawyers in the USA.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cotter Schools cost?

Cotter Schools's tuition is approximately $38,000 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Cotter Schools?

The acceptance rate of Cotter Schools is 94%, which is higher than the national average of 87%.

Who are famous alumni from Cotter Schools?

Cotter Schools famous alumni include: Bob Kierlin '57, Damien Fair '94, Jay Carrol '80, Andy Ballard '01 and Chris Green '91.

What sports does Cotter Schools offer?

Cotter Schools offers 19 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Cotter Schools is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Minnesota for most sports offered.

What is Cotter Schools's ranking?

Cotter Schools ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Minnesota for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Cotter Schools?

The application deadline for Cotter Schools is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Minnesota is $8,842 for elementary schools and $14,463 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Minnesota is 87% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).