SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP.

Headquartered at 1200 North Park Street in Fairmont, Minnesota, the Southern Plains Education Cooperative is an active, specialized educational entity serving a remote town community. Operating as a dedicated special education and vocational district rather than a traditional charter district, the cooperative manages four operational schools designed to support specialized learning needs from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The cooperative serves a total student body of 94 enrolled learners, with particular emphasis on early childhood programs and upper high school grade levels. Representing a diverse community, the student population includes 61 White students, 23 Hispanic students, seven students of two or more races, and three Black students, with 64 male and 30 female students benefiting from its tailored programming.

To deliver highly individualized instruction and comprehensive support, the Southern Plains Education Cooperative maintains an exceptionally robust staffing context. The district employs nearly 30 full-time equivalent teachers, backed by approximately 22 instructional aides and over 71 specialized support staff members, bringing the total personnel count to more than 123 full-time equivalent positions. This significant staffing infrastructure ensures a exceptionally low student-to-staff ratio, allowing educators and specialists to address complex academic, developmental, and vocational goals across all four facilities. Families and researchers interested in learning more about the cooperative's offerings can explore their official portal at southernplainsedcoop.org.