Southern MN Education Consortium

Located at 21697 State Highway 56 in Austin, Minnesota, the Southern MN Education Consortium is an active, public special education and vocational district serving communities across a rural distant setting. Operating 14 specialized school sites, this non-charter consortium offers a complete educational continuum spanning from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district plays a vital role in southern Minnesota’s public education system, partnering with member districts to provide tailored academic, therapeutic, and career-focused programming for students requiring individualized educational pathways.

The district serves a student body of 181 learners—comprising 124 male and 57 female students across diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds—with a staffing structure uniquely configured for high-touch, specialized instruction. To support its student population, the consortium maintains an extensive professional network of over 206 full-time equivalent staff members, including approximately 62 dedicated teachers, 44 instructional aides, and more than 100 specialized support personnel. This substantial staffing capacity ensures an exceptionally strong student-to-staff ratio, allowing the Southern MN Education Consortium to deliver intensive, one-on-one attention and personalized support designed to help every student succeed.