For the 2025-26 school year, there are 12 public middle schools serving 2,758 students in Carlton County, MN.
The top ranked public middle schools in Carlton County, MN are Lincoln Secondary, Cromwell-wright Secondary and Barnum Secondary. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carlton County, MN public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Carlton County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Minnesota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Carlton County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Secondary
(Math: 58% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2 E Highway 61
Esko, MN 55733
(218) 879-4673
Esko, MN 55733
(218) 879-4673
Gr: 7-12 | 624 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Cromwell-wright Secondary
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5624 Highway 210
Cromwell, MN 55726
(218) 644-3716
Cromwell, MN 55726
(218) 644-3716
Gr: 7-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Barnum Secondary
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3675 County Rd 13
Barnum, MN 55707
(218) 389-3273
Barnum, MN 55707
(218) 389-3273
Gr: 7-12 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Moose Lake Secondary
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4812 County Rd 10
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-4435
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-4435
Gr: 7-12 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Cloquet Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2001 Washington Avenue
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3328
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3328
Gr: 5-8 | 767 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
Northern Lights Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
302 14th Street
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-3060
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-3060
Gr: K-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #77.
Carlton Secondary
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
405 School Ave
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4226
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4226
Gr: 6-12 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
Wrenshall Secondary
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
207 Pioneer Dr
Wrenshall, MN 55797
(218) 384-4274
Wrenshall, MN 55797
(218) 384-4274
Gr: 7-12 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Cloquet Area Alt. Ed. Programs
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
302 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Gr: 6-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
49 University Road
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-7242
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-7242
Gr: K-12 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: n/an/a
Mash-ka-wisen
Alternative School
1150 Mission Rd
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4225
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4225
Gr: 7-12 | 2 students
Rank: n/an/a
Nla-carlton
Special Education School
405 School Ave
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-3060
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-3060
Gr: 4-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Carlton County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Caaep Setting 4 (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
302 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Gr: 2-12 | 8 students Minority enrollment: 63%
Caaep Setting 4 High School (Closed 2012)
Special Education School
302 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Gr: 7-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 30%
Moose Lake Alternative Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
4812 County Rd 10
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-4435
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-4435
Gr: 9-12
Moose Lake Family Center (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
Box 310
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-8520
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-8520
Gr: PK | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
N. Carlton Coop. Vocational High School (Closed 2015)
Vocational School
1000 18th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3393
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3393
Gr: 7-12
Nla-carlton (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
405 School Ave
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4225
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4225
Gr: 9-12 | 1 student Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Non-residental Care & Treatment (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
302 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Carlton County, MN?
The top ranked public middle schools in Carlton County, MN include Lincoln Secondary, Cromwell-wright Secondary and Barnum Secondary.
How many public middle schools are located in Carlton County?
12 public middle schools are located in Carlton County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carlton County?
Carlton County public middle schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle schools average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Carlton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Carlton County include: Moose Lake Secondary vs. Carlton Secondary, Carlton Secondary vs. Moose Lake Secondary, Lincoln Secondary vs. Carlton Secondary
Recent Articles
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
