Next Step Transition Program

Next Step Transition Program is one of the one-room-style secondary schools in COTTAGE GROVE, Minnesota, operated by South Washington County Schools, with 86 students on its rolls from grade 12. Compared to the state average of about 371 students per school, that is 77% leaner than typical.

South Washington County Schools comprises 28 schools with combined enrollment of 19,578 students; Next Step Transition Program is among them.

Looking at the student body, Next Step Transition Program records that White students make up the majority at 62%; the rest breaks down as 14% Black, 9% Hispanic, 9% multiracial, 6% Asian. By comparison, Washington County as a whole is about 78% White, so the school skews considerably less White than its surroundings.

Looking at school resources, Staff filings list 4 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 22.4:1 students per teacher. The state averages around 16.3:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. About 44% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. Set against Washington County (around 26%), the school's rate is north of typical.

In the surrounding community, ACS estimates for Washington County put the typical household earns roughly $115,345 per year, 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 4%. In all, Washington County runs 103 public schools (combined enrollment of about 46,313 students), of which Next Step Transition Program is one.

The closest other public school is CRESTVIEW ELEMENTARY, roughly 0.7 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

Geographically, the school is in a commuter-belt area.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Next Step Transition Program has edged up 25%, going from 69 students in 2018 to 86 in 2025. White enrollment moved from 71% to 62% across the same window.

On the community side, the feed for Next Step Transition Program typically covers enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Members of the school community can share what they know.