MNMinnesota rankings

Towns with the best public schools in Minnesota

Ranked by how far each town's public schools score above or below the Minnesota average in math and reading proficiency, weighted by enrollment. 230 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-yearTest scores SY2020–21

Minnesota · Best schools

Where Eagle Lake lands: #39 of 230

+13.6 pts vs. the MN average in math + reading · Visit Eagle Lake →

1 Centerville +29.1 pts Math 83% · Reading 72%

2 Wayzata +25.6 pts Math 69% · Reading 79%

3 Deephaven +23.6 pts Math 74% · Reading 70%

#Townvs. state averageMathReading

CentervilleCentennial Public School District +29.1 pts 83% 72%

WayzataWAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +25.6 pts 69% 79%

DeephavenMINNETONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +23.6 pts 74% 70%

4 Arden HillsMounds View Public School District +22.9 pts 72.4% 70.2%

ExcelsiorMINNETONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +22.6 pts 73% 69%

DelanoDELANO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +22.4 pts 70.9% 70.8%

7 ThomsonCarlton County · ESKO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +22.1 pts 67.1% 73.9%

8 ShorewoodMINNETONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +21.6 pts 69% 71%

EdinaEDINA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +21.3 pts 65.1% 74.2%

HanoverBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools +21.1 pts 72% 67%

MahtomediMAHTOMEDI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +21.0 pts 72.9% 66%

GrantMAHTOMEDI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +20.7 pts 64.2% 73.9%

PlymouthWAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +20.6 pts 65.8% 72.2%

MoundWestonka Public School District +20.2 pts 66.8% 70.5%

OronoORONO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +20.0 pts 62.1% 74.7%

North OaksMounds View Public School District +19.6 pts 62% 74%

17 St. MichaelSt. Michael-Albertville Schools +18.6 pts 65.3% 68.6%

18 Rice LakeDULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +18.6 pts 67% 67%

MinnetonkaMINNETONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +18.5 pts 62.7% 71%

20 VictoriaEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +18.1 pts 68% 65%

ShoreviewMounds View Public School District +17.8 pts 66% 66.3%

Ham LakeDAVINCI ACADEMY +17.8 pts 65.2% 67.2%

AndoverAnoka-Hennepin School District +17.7 pts 65.4% 66.8%

24 RogersElk River Public School District +16.3 pts 64.6% 64.9%

ColumbusForest Lake Public School District +16.1 pts 67% 62%

26 ScandiaForest Lake Public School District +16.1 pts 67% 62%

GlenwoodMINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT +16.1 pts 72% 57%

Eden PrairieEDEN PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +16.0 pts 58.9% 69.9%

BarnesvilleBARNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. +15.8 pts 62% 66.4%

ChanhassenEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +15.7 pts 58.2% 70.1%

DaytonAnoka-Hennepin School District +15.6 pts 64% 64%

WaconiaWACONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +14.9 pts 62.9% 63.6%

33 Breezy PointPEQUOT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOLS +14.6 pts 69% 57%

WoodburySouth Washington County Schools +14.4 pts 58.7% 66.8%

35 White BearRamsey County · White Bear Lake School District +14.3 pts 60% 65.5%

MinnetristaWestonka Public School District +14.0 pts 62.7% 62.2%

Falcon HeightsROSEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +13.6 pts 55% 69%

Circle PinesCentennial Public School District +13.6 pts 62% 62%

Eagle LakeMANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +13.6 pts 62% 62%

Oak Park HeightsStillwater Area Public Schools +13.1 pts 57% 66%

SartellSartell-St. Stephen School District +13.0 pts 58.9% 63.8%

Pine IslandPine Island Public School District +12.8 pts 58.2% 64.2%

LakevilleLakeville Area Schools +12.6 pts 57.3% 64.7%

CarverEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +12.6 pts 63% 59%

45 St. AnthonyST. ANTHONY-NEW BRIGHTON SCHOOLS +11.4 pts 50.9% 68.8%

Maple GroveOSSEO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +11.1 pts 57.7% 61.3%

47 NorthfieldNORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +11.1 pts 55.3% 63.8%

48 New PragueNEW PRAGUE AREA SCHOOLS +11.1 pts 56.7% 62.3%

CohassetGRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +11.1 pts 57% 62%

AnnandaleANNANDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +11.0 pts 57% 61.8%

Lino LakesCentennial Public School District +10.9 pts 56.1% 62.6%

ChatfieldCHATFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS +10.8 pts 53.8% 64.6%

53 ByronByron Public School District +10.5 pts 51.9% 65.8%

ZumbrotaZumbrota-Mazeppa School District +10.2 pts 53.6% 63.7%

AlbertvilleSt. Michael-Albertville Schools +10.1 pts 55% 62%

Elko New MarketNEW PRAGUE AREA SCHOOLS +10.1 pts 58% 59%

AlbanyALBANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +10.1 pts 56% 61%

58 Lake CrystalLAKE CRYSTAL-WELLCOME MEMORIAL +10.1 pts 59.8% 57.3%

CokatoDassel-Cokato Public Schools +9.4 pts 64.3% 51.4%

OtsegoElk River Public School District +9.3 pts 56% 59.4%

SavagePrior Lake-Savage Area Schools +9.1 pts 54% 61%

PlainviewPlainview-Elgin-Millville +8.9 pts 57.5% 57.2%

EaganROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN +8.8 pts 53.8% 60.7%

CaledoniaCALEDONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +8.7 pts 52.7% 61.5%

Elk RiverElk River Public School District +8.2 pts 52.6% 60.7%

66 RosemountROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN +8.1 pts 53.3% 59.8%

Fergus FallsFergus Falls Public School District +8.1 pts 50.5% 62.4%

LuverneLUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +7.9 pts 54.1% 58.6%

69 Mendota HeightsWest St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan +7.8 pts 54.4% 58.1%

70 LitchfieldLitchfield Public School District +7.4 pts 55.8% 55.9%

KassonKasson-Mantorville School District +7.0 pts 53.7% 57.1%

WyomingForest Lake Public School District +6.6 pts 57% 53%

73 MonticelloMonticello Public School District +6.4 pts 53.8% 55.9%

Prior LakePrior Lake-Savage Area Schools +6.1 pts 52.9% 56.2%

75 NewportSouth Washington County Schools +6.1 pts 47% 62%

76 NorthernBeltrami County · Bemidji Public School District +6.1 pts 67% 42%

New BrightonMounds View Public School District +5.8 pts 48.4% 60.1%

ChaskaEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +5.6 pts 49.2% 58.8%

BlaineAnoka-Hennepin School District +5.5 pts 49.4% 58.4%

80 HermantownHermantown Community Schools +5.5 pts 51.3% 56.5%

81 North MankatoMANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +5.4 pts 48.7% 59%

Grand RapidsGRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +5.4 pts 51.5% 56.2%

BeckerBECKER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +5.3 pts 50% 57.5%

84 RamseyAnoka-Hennepin School District +5.2 pts 51.4% 55.7%

Apple ValleyROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN +5.1 pts 48.8% 58.1%

AlexandriaAlexandria Public School District +5.1 pts 50.6% 56.5%

Park RapidsPARK RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +5.0 pts 55.9% 50.9%

88 ZimmermanElk River Public School District +4.8 pts 49.5% 56.9%

Cold SpringROCORI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.8 pts 48.2% 58.2%

St. Louis ParkST. LOUIS PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. +4.7 pts 47.8% 58.4%

WabashaWabasha-Kellogg School District +4.7 pts 49.2% 57%

BaxterBRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.6 pts 47.8% 58.1%

GreenfieldROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.6 pts 56% 50%

Sleepy EyeSLEEPY EYE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.1 pts 48.8% 56.2%

MorrisMORRIS AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS +3.7 pts 51.6% 52.6%

LonsdaleTri-City United School District +3.6 pts 52% 52%

97 DilworthDILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON +3.6 pts 57% 47%

98 MankatoMANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +3.4 pts 46.3% 57.3%

Big LakeBIG LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +3.4 pts 45.9% 57.6%

100 WatertownWatertown-Mayer Public School Dist +3.4 pts 49% 54.5%

101

BrainerdBRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +3.3 pts 48.5% 54.9%

102

New UlmNEW ULM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +3.2 pts 51.9% 51.2%

103 LindstromChisago Lakes School District +3.1 pts 42.6% 60.3%

104 RosevilleROSEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +3.0 pts 39.2% 63.7%

105

StillwaterStillwater Area Public Schools +3.0 pts 48.4% 54.5%

106 Cannon FallsCANNON FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +2.8 pts 44.9% 57.4%

107

FoleyFOLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +2.7 pts 49.5% 52.7%

108

ShakopeeShakopee Public School District +2.6 pts 45.2% 56.9%

109

HugoWhite Bear Lake School District +2.6 pts 48.3% 53.7%

110

Pelican RapidsPelican Rapids Public Schools +2.4 pts 46.4% 55.3%

111 BuffaloBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools +2.2 pts 46.5% 54.6%

112

Belle PlaineBELLE PLAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +2.1 pts 40.4% 60.6%

113

MoraMora Public Schools +2.0 pts 43.8% 57%

114

PerhamPERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +2.0 pts 44.5% 56.4%

115

HastingsHastings Public School District +1.9 pts 47.2% 53.5%

116 MarshallMARSHALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +1.9 pts 48.1% 52.5%

117

CambridgeCambridge-Isanti Public School Dist +1.8 pts 42.5% 57.8%

118 Norwood Young AmericaCENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +1.8 pts 42.3% 58%

119

HutchinsonHUTCHINSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +1.7 pts 47.2% 53.1%

120

RockfordROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +1.6 pts 40.4% 59.5%

121

Detroit LakesDETROIT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. +1.2 pts 47.7% 51.6%

122 White Bear LakeWhite Bear Lake School District +1.1 pts 45.1% 54%

123

GoodviewWINONA AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +1.1 pts 62% 37%

124 BayportStillwater Area Public Schools +1.1 pts 52% 47%

125 Two HarborsLAKE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. +1.1 pts 47% 52%

126

Lake ElmoStillwater Area Public Schools +0.8 pts 49.8% 48.5%

127 Lake CityLAKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +0.8 pts 49% 49.5%

128

JordanJORDAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +0.7 pts 46% 52.1%

129

PrincetonPRINCETON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +0.7 pts 42.9% 55.2%

130

Cottage GroveSouth Washington County Schools +0.4 pts 42.7% 54.9%

131

Sauk RapidsSauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools +0.4 pts 42.3% 55.3%

132 Le SueurLE SUEUR-HENDERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT +0.4 pts 43.3% 54.3%

133

RoseauROSEAU PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +0.4 pts 44.8% 52.8%

134

CloquetCLOQUET PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +0.3 pts 42.4% 54.9%

135

Chisago CityChisago Lakes School District +0.1 pts 50.8% 46.3%

136

DuluthDULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.1 pts 41.9% 54.7%

137

IsantiCambridge-Isanti Public School Dist −0.2 pts 45.7% 50.8%

138

BemidjiBemidji Public School District −0.5 pts 40.9% 54.9%

139

ElyELY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.5 pts 35.6% 60.2%

140 OwatonnaOWATONNA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.6 pts 43.9% 51.6%

141

StewartvilleSTEWARTVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.6 pts 43.5% 52.1%

142 St. PeterST. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.7 pts 44% 51.5%

143 St. CharlesST. CHARLES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.7 pts 42.9% 52.4%

144

MelroseMELROSE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.7 pts 45.5% 50%

145

Sauk CentreSAUK CENTRE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.8 pts 43.9% 51.3%

146

ChamplinAnoka-Hennepin School District −1.0 pts 42.4% 52.5%

147

CrosslakeCROSSLAKE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL −1.2 pts 26.9% 67.5%

148

FairmontFAIRMONT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT −1.4 pts 44.6% 49.5%

149

MontroseBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools −1.4 pts 47% 47%

150

CrookstonCrookston Public School District −1.7 pts 44.9% 48.6%

151

JacksonJackson County Central School Dist. −1.7 pts 43.7% 49.6%

152

OakdaleNorth St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale −2.1 pts 40.7% 52%

153

HibbingHibbing Public School District −2.1 pts 39.8% 52.8%

154 FarmingtonFARMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −2.3 pts 39.5% 52.7%

155 BreckenridgeBRECKENRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −2.3 pts 51% 41.2%

156 Moose LakeMOOSE LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −2.7 pts 41.9% 49.5%

157

Coon RapidsAnoka-Hennepin School District −3.0 pts 39% 51.8%

158 North BranchNorth Branch Area Public Schools −3.1 pts 41.2% 49.5%

159

MoorheadMoorhead Area Public Schools −3.4 pts 41.9% 48.2%

160 Vadnais HeightsWhite Bear Lake School District −3.5 pts 41.3% 48.5%

161

RochesterRochester Public School District −3.7 pts 38% 51.4%

162

MilacaMILACA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −4.1 pts 42.2% 46.4%

163

BloomingtonBloomington Public Schools −4.3 pts 37.2% 51%

164

Forest LakeForest Lake Public School District −4.3 pts 36.4% 51.9%

165 MontevideoMONTEVIDEO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −4.3 pts 42.1% 46.2%

166

OsseoOSSEO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −4.7 pts 31.3% 56%

167

Redwood FallsREDWOOD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT −4.8 pts 40.9% 46.4%

168

East Grand ForksEast Grand Forks Public Schools −4.9 pts 37% 49.9%

169

East BethelSt. Francis Area Schools −5.0 pts 41.4% 45.5%

170

ProctorProctor Public School District −5.0 pts 32.5% 54.3%

171

Thief River FallsTHIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT −5.4 pts 39.8% 46.2%

172

St. JosephST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −5.4 pts 37% 49%

173 LinwoodAnoka County · Forest Lake Public School District −5.4 pts 44% 42%

174 St. FrancisSt. Francis Area Schools −5.8 pts 32.9% 52.4%

175

International FallsINTERNATIONAL FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT −6.0 pts 40.1% 44.8%

176

WindomWindom Public School District −6.2 pts 39.2% 45.2%

177

BensonBENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −6.5 pts 41.1% 42.8%

178

AnokaAnoka-Hennepin School District −6.6 pts 31.8% 51.7%

179

PaynesvillePaynesville Area Schools −6.7 pts 40.5% 42.9%

180

Granite FallsYELLOW MEDICINE EAST −6.9 pts 35.1% 48%

181

Rush CityRUSH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −7.3 pts 35.6% 46.6%

182

Mounds ViewMounds View Public School District −7.4 pts 39.9% 42%

183 MontgomeryTri-City United School District −7.4 pts 41% 41%

184

VirginiaRock Ridge Public Schools −7.6 pts 34% 47.6%

185

St. Paul ParkSouth Washington County Schools −7.8 pts 40.6% 40.6%

186

La CrescentLa Crescent-Hokah School District −8.1 pts 38.3% 42.4%

187

Pine CityPINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −8.2 pts 34.1% 46.3%

188 HopkinsHOPKINS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −8.4 pts 29.6% 50.3%

189

Mountain IronMOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SCHOOL DISTRICT −8.4 pts 32.5% 47.4%

190

PipestonePipestone Area School District −8.6 pts 40.7% 38.9%

191

Golden ValleyROBBINSDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −8.9 pts 37% 42.1%

192

St. JamesST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −8.9 pts 36.5% 42.5%

193

BemidjiBeltrami County · Bemidji Public School District −8.9 pts 47% 32%

194

Red WingRed Wing Public School District −9.2 pts 35.8% 42.7%

195

Spring Lake ParkSPRING LAKE PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS −9.3 pts 45.8% 32.4%

196

BurnsvilleBurnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools −10.3 pts 31.8% 44.3%

197

WinonaWINONA AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −10.3 pts 34.7% 41.5%

198

ChisholmCHISHOLM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −10.6 pts 31.9% 43.6%

199

Le CenterTri-City United School District −10.9 pts 31% 44%

200 WasecaWASECA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −11.0 pts 33.2% 41.6%

201

GlencoeGLENCOE-SILVER LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT −11.0 pts 34.1% 40.7%

202

West St. PaulWest St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan −11.1 pts 25.3% 49.4%

203

Blue EarthBlue Earth Area School District −11.4 pts 29% 45%

204

Brooklyn ParkOSSEO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −11.8 pts 30.9% 42.3%

205

WadenaWADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT −11.9 pts 32.6% 40.3%

206

Dodge CenterTRITON SCHOOL DISTRICT −11.9 pts 32.8% 40.2%

207 North St. PaulNorth St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale −12.1 pts 31.8% 40.7%

208

Little FallsLittle Falls Community Schools −12.4 pts 36.1% 35.9%

209

Inver Grove HeightsINVER GROVE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS −12.6 pts 29.9% 41.7%

210

WillmarWillmar Public School District −12.8 pts 33% 38.2%

211 WhiteSt. Louis County · MESABI EAST SCHOOL DISTRICT −13.2 pts 23.5% 47%

212

Albert LeaAlbert Lea Public School District −14.2 pts 29.6% 38.8%

213

New HopeROBBINSDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −15.6 pts 22.2% 43.4%

214

St. CloudST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −15.8 pts 26.4% 38.8%

215

AustinAustin Public School District −16.8 pts 28.5% 34.7%

216

FridleyFridley Public School District −17.4 pts 26.5% 35.4%

217

MinneapolisMinneapolis Public School District −17.6 pts 24.6% 37.1%

218 South St. PaulSouth St. Paul Public School Dist −17.7 pts 25% 36.4%

219 WorthingtonWORTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −17.7 pts 28% 33.3%

220 CrystalROBBINSDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −17.8 pts 21.9% 39.3%

221 MaplewoodNorth St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale −17.9 pts 24.6% 36.4%

222

RichfieldRICHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −17.9 pts 24% 36.9%

223

St. PaulSaint Paul Public Schools −18.6 pts 23.1% 36.4%

224

Little CanadaROSEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −18.6 pts 21.2% 38.4%

225

FaribaultFARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −22.0 pts 19.6% 33.3%

226

Columbia HeightsColumbia Heights Public School Dist −22.9 pts 23.2% 27.7%

227

Long PrairieLong Prairie-Grey Eagle School Dist −25.8 pts 17.2% 28.1%

228

Waite ParkST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −26.8 pts 17% 26.3%

229 RobbinsdaleROBBINSDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −28.3 pts 9.4% 30.8%

230

Brooklyn CenterNew Millennium Academy −31.7 pts 10.6% 22.9%

How this ranking works

For every public school in a town we take its latest math and reading proficiency and subtract the Minnesota average for the same test. The town’s score is the average of those gaps, weighted by each school’s enrollment, so a big high school counts more than a small annex. Private schools aren’t included.

Each state writes its own tests, so these scores compare towns within Minnesota only. We don’t rank a town unless at least 150 students in its schools were tested. Test data: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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