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

Northfield ranks #47 of 230

+11.1 pts vs. the MN average in math + reading · Visit Northfield →

Northfield ranks #47 of 230 for best schools in Minnesota
#Townvs. state averageMathReading
1 CentervilleCentennial Public School District +29.1 pts 83% 72%
2 Wayzata WayzataWAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +25.6 pts 69% 79%
3 Map of Deephaven DeephavenMINNETONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +23.6 pts 74% 70%
4 Arden HillsMounds View Public School District +22.9 pts 72.4% 70.2%
5 Map of Excelsior ExcelsiorMINNETONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +22.6 pts 73% 69%
6 Delano 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%
9 Map of Edina EdinaEDINA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +21.3 pts 65.1% 74.2%
10 HanoverBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools +21.1 pts 72% 67%
11 MahtomediMAHTOMEDI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +21.0 pts 72.9% 66%
12 Map of Grant GrantMAHTOMEDI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +20.7 pts 64.2% 73.9%
13 Map of Plymouth PlymouthWAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +20.6 pts 65.8% 72.2%
14 Map of Mound MoundWestonka Public School District +20.2 pts 66.8% 70.5%
15 OronoORONO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +20.0 pts 62.1% 74.7%
16 Map of North Oaks 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%
19 MinnetonkaMINNETONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +18.5 pts 62.7% 71%
20 VictoriaEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +18.1 pts 68% 65%
21 Shoreview ShoreviewMounds View Public School District +17.8 pts 66% 66.3%
22 Ham LakeDAVINCI ACADEMY +17.8 pts 65.2% 67.2%
23 Map of Andover AndoverAnoka-Hennepin School District +17.7 pts 65.4% 66.8%
24 RogersElk River Public School District +16.3 pts 64.6% 64.9%
25 Columbus ColumbusForest Lake Public School District +16.1 pts 67% 62%
26 ScandiaForest Lake Public School District +16.1 pts 67% 62%
27 GlenwoodMINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT +16.1 pts 72% 57%
28 Map of Eden Prairie Eden PrairieEDEN PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +16.0 pts 58.9% 69.9%
29 BarnesvilleBARNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. +15.8 pts 62% 66.4%
30 Chanhassen ChanhassenEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +15.7 pts 58.2% 70.1%
31 DaytonAnoka-Hennepin School District +15.6 pts 64% 64%
32 Map of Waconia WaconiaWACONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +14.9 pts 62.9% 63.6%
33 Breezy PointPEQUOT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOLS +14.6 pts 69% 57%
34 Woodbury 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%
36 MinnetristaWestonka Public School District +14.0 pts 62.7% 62.2%
37 Falcon Heights Falcon HeightsROSEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +13.6 pts 55% 69%
38 Map of Circle Pines Circle PinesCentennial Public School District +13.6 pts 62% 62%
39 Eagle LakeMANKATO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +13.6 pts 62% 62%
40 Map of Oak Park Heights Oak Park HeightsStillwater Area Public Schools +13.1 pts 57% 66%
41 Map of Sartell SartellSartell-St. Stephen School District +13.0 pts 58.9% 63.8%
42 Map of Pine Island Pine IslandPine Island Public School District +12.8 pts 58.2% 64.2%
43 LakevilleLakeville Area Schools +12.6 pts 57.3% 64.7%
44 Carver CarverEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +12.6 pts 63% 59%
45 St. AnthonyST. ANTHONY-NEW BRIGHTON SCHOOLS +11.4 pts 50.9% 68.8%
46 Map of Maple Grove 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%
49 CohassetGRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +11.1 pts 57% 62%
50 Annandale AnnandaleANNANDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +11.0 pts 57% 61.8%
51 Lino LakesCentennial Public School District +10.9 pts 56.1% 62.6%
52 Map of Chatfield ChatfieldCHATFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS +10.8 pts 53.8% 64.6%
53 ByronByron Public School District +10.5 pts 51.9% 65.8%
54 Map of Zumbrota ZumbrotaZumbrota-Mazeppa School District +10.2 pts 53.6% 63.7%
55 Albertville AlbertvilleSt. Michael-Albertville Schools +10.1 pts 55% 62%
56 Elko New MarketNEW PRAGUE AREA SCHOOLS +10.1 pts 58% 59%
57 Map of Albany AlbanyALBANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +10.1 pts 56% 61%
58 Lake CrystalLAKE CRYSTAL-WELLCOME MEMORIAL +10.1 pts 59.8% 57.3%
59 CokatoDassel-Cokato Public Schools +9.4 pts 64.3% 51.4%
60 Map of Otsego OtsegoElk River Public School District +9.3 pts 56% 59.4%
61 Map of Savage SavagePrior Lake-Savage Area Schools +9.1 pts 54% 61%
62 Plainview PlainviewPlainview-Elgin-Millville +8.9 pts 57.5% 57.2%
63 Map of Eagan EaganROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN +8.8 pts 53.8% 60.7%
64 Map of Caledonia CaledoniaCALEDONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +8.7 pts 52.7% 61.5%
65 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%
67 Map of Fergus Falls Fergus FallsFergus Falls Public School District +8.1 pts 50.5% 62.4%
68 Luverne 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%
71 Map of Kasson KassonKasson-Mantorville School District +7.0 pts 53.7% 57.1%
72 Wyoming WyomingForest Lake Public School District +6.6 pts 57% 53%
73 MonticelloMonticello Public School District +6.4 pts 53.8% 55.9%
74 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%
77 New BrightonMounds View Public School District +5.8 pts 48.4% 60.1%
78 Map of Chaska ChaskaEASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL +5.6 pts 49.2% 58.8%
79 Blaine 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%
82 Grand RapidsGRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +5.4 pts 51.5% 56.2%
83 BeckerBECKER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +5.3 pts 50% 57.5%
84 RamseyAnoka-Hennepin School District +5.2 pts 51.4% 55.7%
85 Map of Apple Valley Apple ValleyROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN +5.1 pts 48.8% 58.1%
86 Map of Alexandria AlexandriaAlexandria Public School District +5.1 pts 50.6% 56.5%
87 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%
89 Map of Cold Spring Cold SpringROCORI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.8 pts 48.2% 58.2%
90 St. Louis ParkST. LOUIS PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. +4.7 pts 47.8% 58.4%
91 WabashaWabasha-Kellogg School District +4.7 pts 49.2% 57%
92 BaxterBRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.6 pts 47.8% 58.1%
93 Map of Greenfield GreenfieldROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.6 pts 56% 50%
94 Sleepy EyeSLEEPY EYE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +4.1 pts 48.8% 56.2%
95 MorrisMORRIS AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS +3.7 pts 51.6% 52.6%
96 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%
99 Map of Big Lake 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 Map of Brainerd 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 Stillwater 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 Map of Foley FoleyFOLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +2.7 pts 49.5% 52.7%
108 ShakopeeShakopee Public School District +2.6 pts 45.2% 56.9%
109 Map of Hugo 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 Mora MoraMora Public Schools +2.0 pts 43.8% 57%
114 Perham 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 Map of Cambridge 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 Rockford 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 Map of Goodview 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 Jordan JordanJORDAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT +0.7 pts 46% 52.1%
129 Map of Princeton 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 Rapids 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 City Chisago CityChisago Lakes School District +0.1 pts 50.8% 46.3%
136 Map of Duluth DuluthDULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.1 pts 41.9% 54.7%
137 Isanti IsantiCambridge-Isanti Public School Dist −0.2 pts 45.7% 50.8%
138 Bemidji 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 Stewartville 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 Map of Melrose MelroseMELROSE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.7 pts 45.5% 50%
145 Sauk Centre Sauk CentreSAUK CENTRE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −0.8 pts 43.9% 51.3%
146 Map of Champlin ChamplinAnoka-Hennepin School District −1.0 pts 42.4% 52.5%
147 Map of Crosslake CrosslakeCROSSLAKE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL −1.2 pts 26.9% 67.5%
148 Fairmont FairmontFAIRMONT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT −1.4 pts 44.6% 49.5%
149 Map of Montrose MontroseBuffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools −1.4 pts 47% 47%
150 Map of Crookston CrookstonCrookston Public School District −1.7 pts 44.9% 48.6%
151 Map of Jackson 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 Moorhead 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 Map of Milaca MilacaMILACA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −4.1 pts 42.2% 46.4%
163 Map of Bloomington BloomingtonBloomington Public Schools −4.3 pts 37.2% 51%
164 Forest Lake 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 Map of Osseo 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 Forks East Grand ForksEast Grand Forks Public Schools −4.9 pts 37% 49.9%
169 Map of East Bethel East BethelSt. Francis Area Schools −5.0 pts 41.4% 45.5%
170 Map of Proctor ProctorProctor Public School District −5.0 pts 32.5% 54.3%
171 Map of Thief River Falls Thief River FallsTHIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT −5.4 pts 39.8% 46.2%
172 St. Joseph 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 Map of Windom WindomWindom Public School District −6.2 pts 39.2% 45.2%
177 Benson BensonBENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −6.5 pts 41.1% 42.8%
178 Map of Anoka 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 City Rush CityRUSH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −7.3 pts 35.6% 46.6%
182 Map of Mounds View 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 Map of St. Paul Park St. Paul ParkSouth Washington County Schools −7.8 pts 40.6% 40.6%
186 Map of La Crescent 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 Map of Mountain Iron 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. James St. JamesST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −8.9 pts 36.5% 42.5%
193 Bemidji 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 Park 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 Winona WinonaWINONA AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −10.3 pts 34.7% 41.5%
198 Map of Chisholm ChisholmCHISHOLM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT −10.6 pts 31.9% 43.6%
199 Map of Le Center 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 Map of Blue Earth Blue EarthBlue Earth Area School District −11.4 pts 29% 45%
204 Brooklyn Park 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 Map of Dodge Center 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 Map of Inver Grove Heights 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 Map of Albert Lea Albert LeaAlbert Lea Public School District −14.2 pts 29.6% 38.8%
213 Map of New Hope 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 Map of Austin AustinAustin Public School District −16.8 pts 28.5% 34.7%
216 Map of Fridley 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 Richfield 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 Heights Columbia HeightsColumbia Heights Public School Dist −22.9 pts 23.2% 27.7%
227 Long Prairie Long PrairieLong Prairie-Grey Eagle School Dist −25.8 pts 17.2% 28.1%
228 Map of Waite Park 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 Center 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