Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools

214 1st Ave Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313-1697
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 3,292 students in Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Minnesota.
Public Elementary Schools in Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,650 Schools
# Students
5,282 Students
571,582 Students
# Teachers
298 Teachers
40,337 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MN)
#108 out of 525 school districts
(Top 30%)
52%
46%
55%
51%
44%
41%
93%
84%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.25
0.61
% American Indian
n/a
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
5%
11%
% Black
3%
13%
% White
87%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
7%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,989 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,866. The school district revenue/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,027 is less than the state median of $18,593. The school district spending/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MN)
Total Revenue
$90 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$79 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,989
$17,866
Spending / Student
$15,027
$18,593

Best Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hanover Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
274 Labeauxe Ave Ne
Hanover, MN 55341
(763) 682-0800
Gr: K-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Northwinds Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1111 7th Ave Nw
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8800
Gr: K-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Parkside Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
207 3rd St Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8500
Gr: PK-5 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Buffalo Community Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1300 Hwy 25 N
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8200
Gr: 6-8 | 1,140 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Discovery Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 2nd Ave Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8400
Gr: K-5 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Montrose Elementary School Of Innov
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
100 2nd St S
Montrose, MN 55363
(763) 682-8345
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #77.
Tatanka Elementary Stem School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
703 8th St Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8600
Gr: K-5 | 420 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%

Recent Articles

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 11 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 5,282 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 13%
  • : 93% (Top 5% in MN)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 52% (Top 20%)
  • : 55% (Top 30%)
  • : 44% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education

Quick Links