Cotter Schools (2025 Profile)

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 97 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2024 School Data

Cotter Schools

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered (Boarding)

7-12

9-12

Grades Offered (Day)

PK-12

6-12

School Type

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1911

1907

Campus Size

45 acres

125 acres

Colors

White, Royal blue

Student Body

Enrollment

450 students

315 students

% International Students

10%

21%

% 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

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes

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

* National Avg. »18

Student : Teacher Ratio

13:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

86%

72%

Summer Program Offered

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)

$67,000

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

n/a

$36,000

Tuition international students

$55,000

$59,000

% Students on Financial Aid

30%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$18,500

$25,000

Merit Scholarships Offered

Admissions

Application Deadline

None / Rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

Acceptance Rate

93%

64%

Director of Admissions

Jeff Novakoski
lmyrlie@cotterschools.org

Application URL

Online Application

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

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

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

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, Wrestling

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

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

Show More (4)Hide

College Matriculation

Year: 2017 - 2024

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

Boston University

Colgate University

Johns Hopkins University

NYC School of Visual Arts

Parsons School of Design

Princeton University

Purdue University

Rutgers University

University of California, Berkley

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

View Matriculation Data

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.
School Mascot: Rowdy

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 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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