Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Cotter Schools

1115 West Broadway Street Winona MN 55987
Tel: (507) 453-5102
www.cotterschools.org
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 450 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $38,000
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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About the School

  • Cotter Schools proudly welcomes domestic students in grades 712 to live and learn on our safe, vibrant campus.
  • From Nachos Day in the cafeteria to cozy study spots like Blooming Grounds, life at Cotter is filled with special moments.
  • Our supportive academic programs, dual credit options, and connections to local colleges help students succeed alongside motivated peers.Students enjoy a secure new residence hall, a warm small-town community, and opportunities for worship, service, sports, and the arts.
  • Weekends are packed with activities and friendships that last a lifetime.Discover your home away from home at Cotter Schools - where you can grow, succeed, and build memories that shape your future.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 450 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $38,000
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Cotter Schools ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores

School Overview

2026 School Data
Cotter Schools
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
7-12
8-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
PK-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Catholic
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1911
1906
Campus Size
45 acres
125 acres
Last Day of School
Fri. May 28, 2027

Student Body

Enrollment
450 students
320 students
% Students of Color
45%
27%
% International Students
1%
21%
% Students Boarding
12%
65%
Average SAT Score
1360
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
23
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

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
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
86%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
Cognia (formerly AdvancED / SACS CASI / NCA CASI) (Cognia)
# of AP Courses Offered
10
18
Courses
AP BiologyAP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BCAP Computer Science A
AP Human GeographyAP Language & Composition
AP Literature & CompositionAP Physics
AP United States GovernmentAP United States History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$38,000
(All inclusive - tuition, room and board, insurance, activities, travel from local airport to school, sports fees and testing)
$71,500
Tuition international students
$55,000
$58,650
% Students on Financial Aid
30%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$18,500
$25,000

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Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
85%
64%
Director of Admissions
Jeff Novakoski
[email protected]
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
19
17
Sports
BalletBaseball
BasketballCross Country Running
DanceDiving
FootballGolf
GymnasticsIce Hockey
Nordic SkiingSoccer
SoftballSwimming and Diving
TennisTrack
Track and FieldVolleyball
Wrestling
Colors
White, Royal blue
School Mascot
Rowdy

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
22
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Bike LabCampus Ministry
Cotter ChronicleDebate Team
Drama ClubHistory Club
Jazz BandMarching Band
Math TeamMock Trial
Model LegislatureMusic Listening
Music MinistryMusical Theatre
National Honor SocietyParmies
Pep BandPhotography Club
Speech TeamStudent Council
Theater ProductionsYearbook Club

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
98%
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
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • Founded in 1911, Cotter Schools, is a private, co-educational day and boarding school located in Winona, Minnesota, USA. Cotter Schools serves motivated and engaged students from 16 months through grade 12. Cotter Schools offers boarding for students in grades 7-12. With over 1,200 students from the Winona area and from over 14 countries around the world. Together, we are Cotter! At Cotter Schools, our mission is to challenge students to achieve their full potential and use their lives in the service of others. Our interdisciplinary, liberal arts education helps students develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, preparing them to meet the needs of an ever-changing world.  More than 98 percent of our students go on to college and attend some of the best schools in the country. Our curriculum includes numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses that offer a more rigorous curriculum and the potential for earning college credit. At Cotter Schools, you'll experience faith and community, excellence in education, individualized attention, and opportunities to grow. Our goal is to challenge, support, and inspire our students! Cotter is, and always will be, a place where we challenge YOU to be the difference!MISSION:Cotter Schools challenges students to achieve their full potential and use their lives in the 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 community, everyone grows.COTTER CORE VALUES: - Community- Faith- Service- Respect
  • 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
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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 85%, 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 High average SAT scores.
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 Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 7-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 450 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $38,000
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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