When I visited Tartan High School in Oakdale, Minnesota, I saw a public 4-year secondary school that felt alive with energy. It is part of Independent School District 622, also known as the North St Paul-Maplewood Oakdale School District, and it has grown into a community hub. Students here take on Advanced Placement coursework and AP® exams, and the 37% participation rate shows their drive.
The school holds a strong place in the area with diverse programs. Families know that the total minority enrollment 70% and economically disadvantaged 60% make it a reflection of the real world. I found that rankings matter here too, but so does the chance to explore new experiences. In every corner of Tartan High School, I could feel ambition mixed with community values.
Demographics / Student Population
Since its start in 1971, enrollment has reached nearly 1,800 students, supported by 120-plus teachers, administrators, aides, custodians, and administrative assistants. Together, they form the foundation that helps every student thrive. The official count shows 96 full-time equivalent teachers, which helps maintain balance.
The demographics reveal a beautiful mix: 30.4% White, 22.4% Hispanic, 22.1% Asian, 16.9% Black, 7.7% two or more races, with smaller groups like American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander. Almost 60% economically disadvantaged learners qualify for free lunch 48% or reduced lunch 12%, and this reflects the importance of equity.
Walking the halls, I met female 49% and male 51% students who talked openly about their journey. Many spoke with pride about being part of a large suburb school where diversity is not just a number but part of their story. This blend makes Tartan High School stand out in Minnesota.
Rankings / Performance
In my research, I saw Tartan High School ranked #98 in Minnesota High Schools, #75 in Minneapolis Metro Area, and #5,520 in National Rankings. These numbers highlight both strengths and opportunities. The graduation rate 84%–88% remains solid, but the College Readiness Index Rank #5,543 shows room to grow.
The Scorecard reports 19% mathematics proficiency, 56% reading proficiency, and 41% science proficiency, along with 37% AP® exam takers and 19% pass rate. Numbers like College Curriculum Breadth Index Rank #5,030 and State Assessment Proficiency Rank #9,865 underline performance across subjects.
From my point of view, these statistics tell more than rankings. They reveal how students take on challenges in mathematics, reading, and science, balancing test scores with new products, services, features, and functionality offered by the school. Growth happens when effort meets opportunity.
Test Scores
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments made the picture clearer. In mathematics, the school scored 19%, compared to district 21% and state 30%. For reading, results showed 56%, above the district 50% and matching the state 50%. In science, the school reached 41%, better than the district 36%, and nearly equal to the state 40%.
These numbers reflect both challenges and wins. As someone who has guided students through similar assessments, I know the importance of steady improvement. Test results may look like figures, but behind them are learners who worked late, parents who encouraged them, and teachers who stayed after class. That’s what defines Tartan High School.
School Data
The graduation rate 84%, though slightly below the state median, showed persistence. With grades served 9–12, the school provides learning pathways in a large suburb setting. It is not a charter school, but a proud member of the North St Paul-Maplewood Oakdale School District.
The district includes 8 total schools and 3,659 total students, with averages like college readiness 5.5, reading 50%, mathematics 21%, and science 36%. These averages help families compare progress across the area.
When I spoke with staff, the value of having full-time equivalent teachers 96 stood out. Each educator makes a difference, helping learners from ninth grade to twelfth grade. The culture inside Tartan High School truly reflects commitment.
Cancer Cluster
My visit also brought heavy conversations about the cancer cluster linked to Washington County’s drinking water. Families spoke of chemicals from 3M that may have caused diseases in the community. These stories made me realize that a school is not only shaped by academics but also by health and environment.
Parents described their concerns, hoping for cleaner systems and stronger safety. These issues remind us that learning cannot exist without wellbeing. For the students of Tartan High School, the fight for safe surroundings is as real as the tests in class.
Privacy Policy (Independent School District 622)
During my research, I read the Privacy Policy on www.isd622.org, which protects visitors and their personal information. It outlines how log files, IP addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and referring pages are used for analytics. I was impressed by the clarity of terms about fraud prevention, analyze trends, and demographic information.
The policy explains that if you give email, telephone number, company name, or attachments, the district ensures your consent. It also includes how cookies, web beacons, and preferences shape a better user experience. Parents can disable cookies or opt out through their browser options if needed.
I also respected the section about Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). It stated that directory information such as student’s name, parent’s name, address, major field of study, class designation, grade, activities, sports, weight, height, dates of attendance can only be released with prior consent. For children under 13, they promise to remove records if parents or guardians contact them.
Unique Content
I joined an exclusive webinar called AO Advice, where a former Admissions Officer explained how a high school is judged in the college admissions process. Hearing about insights, strategies, and evaluation helped me understand the bigger picture.
With a College Readiness Index 23.7/100, I saw challenges, but also potential. Tools like My Fit Custom College Ranking give students ways to build a personalized college list. These ideas push beyond statistics and create hope.
At the end of the session, I thought about how Tartan High School students could turn these insights into action. For me, this showed how expertise combined with effort could open doors.
FAQs
No FAQs were provided directly in the sources. However, parents often ask about graduation rate, AP® exam participation, demographics, rankings, privacy policy, free lunch, reduced lunch, science proficiency, reading proficiency, mathematics proficiency, and the history of 1971 opening. Others want to know about Washington County water issues, the North St Paul-Maplewood Oakdale School District, or how to contact the Independent School District 622 for details on FERPA and directory information.
These questions matter because families look for clear answers before making decisions. My advice is always to explore the school data, understand the rankings, and talk directly with teachers or administrators. That way, you get both the numbers and the human side of Tartan High School.