Cotter Schools Photo #9

Cotter Schools

1115 West Broadway Street
Winona, MN 55987
Founded in 1911, Cotter Schools is a private, co-ed, day and boarding school located in Winona, Minnesota.
Cotter serves students of all backgrounds from Pre-k through grade 12 and offers boarding for students in grades 7 through 12.
Cotter Schools prides itself on creating a strong community of learners and we look forward to welcoming you to the Cotter Family!

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 450 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $38,000
  • Acceptance rate: 93%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Cotter Schools ranks among the top 10 schools with > 400 students (out of 96 schools) for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
Cotter Schools
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
7-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1911
1907
Campus Size
45 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
450 students
320 students
% International Students
10%
20%
% Students Boarding
12%
70%
Average SAT Score
1138
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Khaki pants, shorts or skirts. Shirts with colors such as button-up shirts or Polo shirts in Royal Blue, Lite Blue, White, Grey or Black.
Casual
Average Class Size
16 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
10
18
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
86%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes

Tuition Cost

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$38,000
(All inclusive - tuition, room and board, insurance, activities, travel from local airport to school, sports fees and testing)
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
n/a
$36,000
Tuition international students
$55,000
$57,680
% Students on Financial Aid
30%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$18,500
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
No
Acceptance Rate
93%
64%
Director of Admissions
Jeff Novakoski
lmyrlie@cotterschools.org
Application URL

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
10
18
Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Human Geography, AP Language & Composition, AP Literature & Composition, AP Physics, AP United States Government, AP United States History

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
24
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Bike Lab, Campus Ministry, Cotter Chronicle, Cross Cultural Ministry Program, Debate Team, Drama Club, History Club, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Math Team, Mock Trial, Model Legislature, Music Listening, Music Ministry, Musical Theatre, National Honor Society, One Act Plays, Parmies, Pep Band, Photography Club, Speech Team, Student Council, Theater Productions, Yearbook Club

College Matriculation

Year: 2017 - 2024
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Boston University
1
Colgate University
1
Johns Hopkins University
1
NYC School of Visual Arts
1
Parsons School of Design
1
Princeton University
1
Purdue University
1
Rutgers University
1
University of California, Berkley
1
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
1

School Notes

  • MISSION STATEMENT:
  • Cotter Schools challenges students to achieve their full potential and use their lives in 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 people to build a better world. In a community, everyone grows. ?
  • Cotter opened its doors on September 5, 1911, and was named for Winona`s first bishop, Bishop Joseph Cotter. Originally, Cotter was a boys` school directed by the De La Salle Christian Brothers.  In 1952, the Brothers turned the school's operation over to the diocese of Winona, and Cotter became co-educational, combining with Cathedral Girls` High School. In 2021 Cotter transitioned to serve students from 16 months through Grade 12. Through its many changes in the past 110-plus years, Cotter has never wavered in its motto, Vertitam Vereantur - "Let them Revere the Truth," and upholds the finest traditions in Catholic education.
  • Cotter Schools accreditations: AdvancEd / Cognia
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Bob Kierlin '57 - Founder for Fastenal Company, a $7.5 Billion Fortune 500 company
    • Andy Ballard '01 - A Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry for developing a program which, using artificial intelligence, solved the riddle of predicting protein structures.
    • Damien Fair '94 - Awarded the MacArthur Genius award
    • 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)
    • Chris Green '91 - Top 5 trial lawyers in Massachusetts and top 50 trial lawyers in the USA.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cotter Schools cost?
Cotter Schools's tuition is approximately $38,000 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Cotter Schools?
The acceptance rate of Cotter Schools is 93%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Cotter Schools?
Cotter Schools famous alumni include: Bob Kierlin '57, Andy Ballard '01, Damien Fair '94, Jay Carrol '80 and Chris Green '91.
What sports does Cotter Schools offer?
Cotter Schools offers 19 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Cotter Schools's ranking?
Cotter Schools ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Least expensive tuition and High percent faculty with advanced degrees.
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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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 450 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $38,000
  • Acceptance rate: 93%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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