Minnesota is the #9 largest school system in the United States, serving 875,540 students across the 2,768 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 630 private schools, serving 97,196 students). 90% of all K-12 students in Minnesota attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Minnesota is 46%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 51%.
The top-ranked public schools in Minnesota are Atheneum Elementary School, Gate 4/5, and Scenic Heights Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 40%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 15:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Minnesota (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Atheneum Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 2-5
5899 Babcock Tr E
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
(651) 306-7300
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
(651) 306-7300
Rank: #22.
Gate 4/5
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 4-5
523 Marsh St W
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 351-6905
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 351-6905
Rank: #33.
Scenic Heights Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 83% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
5650 Scenic Heights Dr
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(952) 401-5400
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(952) 401-5400
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Lake Harriet Upper Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-5
4912 Vincent Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 668-3310
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 668-3310
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
4260 Stagecoach Tr N
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 395-5920
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 395-5920
Rank: #66.
Burroughs Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1601 W 50th St
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 668-3280
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 668-3280
Rank: #77.
Normandale Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 82% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
5701 Normandale Rd
Minneapolis, MN 55424
(952) 848-4100
Minneapolis, MN 55424
(952) 848-4100
Rank: #88.
Kimberly Lane Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
17405 Old Rockford Rd
Minneapolis, MN 55446
(763) 745-5600
Minneapolis, MN 55446
(763) 745-5600
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
Bridges Community Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
320 Garfield Ave
Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 387-2800
Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 387-2800
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
Dassel Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-4
131 William Ave E
Dassel, MN 55325
(320) 286-4100
Dassel, MN 55325
(320) 286-4100
Overview
This State (MN)
US
# Schools
2,768 Schools
100,280 Schools
# Students
875,540 Students
49,274,194 Students
# Teachers
57,000 Teachers
3,176,891 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MN)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
43%
Graduation Rate
83.3%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
34%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.60
0.71
# American Indian Students
15,550 Students
465,609 Students
% American Indian Students
2%
1%
# Asian Students
62,322 Students
2,805,352 Students
% Asian Students
7%
6%
# Hispanic Students
105,385 Students
14,933,214 Students
% Hispanic Students
12%
30%
# Black Students
106,277 Students
7,261,972 Students
% Black Students
12%
15%
# White Students
527,032 Students
20,989,427 Students
% White Students
60%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,081 Students
196,828 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
57,658 Students
2,585,806 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MN)
Total Revenue
$16,920 MM
Spending
$17,562 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,325
Spending / Student
$20,059
Best Minnesota Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Minnesota?
The top-ranked public schools in Minnesota include Atheneum Elementary School, Gate 4/5, and Scenic Heights Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Minnesota?
2,768 public schools are located in Minnesota.
What percentage of students in Minnesota go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Minnesota attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Minnesota?
Minority enrollment in Minnesota is 40%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic.
Which public schools in Minnesota are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Minnesota include: St. Anthony Village Alternative vs. Insight School Of Minnesota, Lakeville South High School vs. Lakeville North High School, Browerville Elementary School vs. Bertha Elementary School
Recent Articles
When Your Child Gets a Teacher You Didn't Request
Learn what parents can do when a child is assigned to an unexpected teacher, including when to wait, communicate, document concerns, request support, and seek reassignment appropriately.
Before Accepting a Public School Seat: 15 Checks
Before accepting a public school seat, parents should verify enrollment terms, transportation, staffing, academics, safety, support services, schedules, attendance rules, extracurriculars, costs, and long-term placement details carefully.
Will This Public School Offer the Same Programs Next Year?
Learn how parents can determine whether public school programs will continue next year by checking budgets, enrollment, staffing, board documents, grants, course schedules, and district priorities before enrolling.
