Top 5 Best Aitkin County Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 1,665 students in Aitkin County, MN (there are 1 private school, serving 130 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Aitkin County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Aitkin County, MN are Rippleside Elementary School, Aitkin Secondary School and Hill City Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Aitkin County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Aitkin County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Aitkin County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rippleside Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
225 2nd Ave Sw
Aitkin, MN 56431
(218) 927-4838
Grades: PK-6
| 463 students
Rank: #22.
Aitkin Secondary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
306 2nd St Nw
Aitkin, MN 56431
(218) 927-2115
Grades: 7-12
| 520 students
Rank: #33.
Hill City Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Ione Ave
Hill City, MN 55748
(218) 697-2394
Grades: PK-4
| 102 students
Rank: #44.
Mcgregor Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
148 S 2nd St
Mcgregor, MN 55760
(218) 768-2111
Grades: PK-6
| 214 students
Rank: #55.
Hill City Senior High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Ione Ave
Hill City, MN 55748
(218) 697-2394
Grades: 9-12
| 73 students
Rank: #66.
Hill City Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Ione Ave
Hill City, MN 55748
(218) 697-2394
Grades: 5-8
| 67 students
Rank: #77.
Mcgregor Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
148 S 2nd St
Mcgregor, MN 55760
(218) 768-2111
Grades: 7-12
| 210 students
Rank: n/an/a
Aitkin Alternative Learning Program
Alternative School
12 7th St Nw
Aitkin, MN 56431
(218) 927-3421
Grades: 8-12
| 12 students
Rank: n/an/a
Mcgregor Area Learning Program
Alternative School
25 S 2nd St
Mcgregor, MN 55760
(218) 768-5135
Grades: 8-12
| 4 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Aitkin County, MN

Aitkin County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
20930 367th Ln
Mcgregor, MN 55760
(218) 768-5320
Grades: K-12
| 38 students
401 South 5th Ave
Palisade, MN 56469
(218) 845-2406
Grades: K-4
| 19 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Aitkin County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Aitkin County, MN include Rippleside Elementary School, Aitkin Secondary School and Hill City Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Aitkin County?
9 public schools are located in Aitkin County.
What percentage of students in Aitkin County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Aitkin County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Aitkin County?
Aitkin County public schools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.

Quick Links