RIVER BEND EDUCATION DISTRICT

Located at 1315 S Broadway St in New Ulm, Minnesota, the River Bend Education District serves as a vital public educational entity tailored to meet specialized student needs across a distant town setting. Operating as an active special education and vocational cooperative—rather than a traditional charter district—River Bend oversees eight operational school facilities providing comprehensive programming for learners from pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. Within the 2024–2025 academic landscape, the district plays a pivotal role in the greater New Ulm region by combining early childhood developmental support with tailored secondary coursework and career-focused vocational pathways.

To support its specialized mission, the district maintains a highly dedicated workforce structured to deliver intensive, individualized instruction. Serving a total enrollment of 226 students—including a robust early childhood cohort of 90 pre-kindergarten learners—River Bend employs a total staffing strength equivalent to over 140 full-time positions. This multidisciplinary team features nearly 63 full-time equivalent teachers, 24 instructional aides, and almost 54 specialized support personnel. For parents, students, and educational researchers alike, River Bend Education District stands out for its strong staff-to-student presence, offering a supportive environment built around targeted care, low student-to-educator ratios, and regional collaborative support.