For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 4,512 students in Cass County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 102 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Cass County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Cass County, MN are Pillager Elementary School, Pillager Senior High School and Pine River-backus Alp. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cass County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Cass County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cass County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pillager Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
323 E 2nd St S
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-2110
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-2110
Gr: PK-4 | 522 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Pillager Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
323 E 2nd St S
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-2117
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-2117
Gr: 9-12 | 364 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Pine River-backus Alp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Gr: 9-12 | 50 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Pillager Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
323 E 2nd St S
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-3772
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-3772
Gr: 5-8 | 405 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Pine River-backus Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 Murray Ave
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4447
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4447
Gr: PK-6 | 477 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Little Sand
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
316 Main St E
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Gr: 7-12 | 9 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #77.
Central Lakes Adventure School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
12763 County Rd 1
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-3875
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-3875
Gr: 7-12 | 40 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Pine River-backus High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
810 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4425
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4425
Gr: 7-12 | 352 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Walker-hackensack-akeley Secondary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 4th St
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-5322
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-5322
Gr: 7-12 | 300 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1010.
W.h.a. Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 4th St
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4261
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4261
Gr: PK-6 | 388 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1111.
Cass Lake-bena Secondary
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
15308 State 371 Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Gr: 9-12 | 253 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1212.
Cass Lake-bena Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
15 4th St Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2201
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2201
Gr: PK-4 | 458 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Northland Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
316 Main St E
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Gr: 7-12 | 131 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1414.
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
208 Central Ave Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2204
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2204
Gr: 7-12 | 98 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1515.
Cass Lake-bena Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
15314 State 371 Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Gr: 5-8 | 303 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
Northland Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
316 Main St E
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Gr: PK-6 | 207 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
15353 Silver Eagle Dr. Nw
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-3000
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-3000
Gr: K-12 | 139 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 46:1
Rank: n/an/a
Pine River-backus Midlevel Alp
Alternative School
1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Gr: 7-8
Rank: n/an/a
Prb Pequot Lakes Midlevel Alc
Alternative School
30805 Olson St
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 568-9358
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 568-9358
Gr: 6-8
Rank: n/an/a
Up North Learning Center
Special Education School
5413 County Road 37 Nw
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-6525
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-6525
Gr: K-12 | 16 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
W. H. A. Alternative Program
Alternative School
301 4th St
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-5322
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-5322
Gr: 9-12
Cass County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Box 47
Backus, MN 56435
(218) 947-3421
Backus, MN 56435
(218) 947-3421
Gr: PK-4 | 95 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
1553 Silver Eagle Drive Nw
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 335-3000
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 335-3000
Gr: PK-12
Cass Lake-bena Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
208 Central Avenue Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-6529
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-6529
Gr: K-4
Little Falls Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
M
Nofoundcity, MN 88888
Nofoundcity, MN 88888
Pine River Backus Targeted Svcs. Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
980 First Street N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Gr: K-8
Pine River-backus New Beginnings Elementary School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
990 First St North
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Gr: 9-11 | 13 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Turning Point Day Treatment (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
Box 4000
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1311
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1311
Gr: 6-11 | 9 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
W H A Alternative Program High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
Box 4000
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4377
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4377
Gr: 9-12 | 18 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
W. H. A. Midlevel Alternative Prg. Middle School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
Box 4000
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4377
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4377
Gr: 7-8 | 15 students Minority enrollment: 60%
301 4th Street
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-5322
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-5322
Gr: 6-8 | 195 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Cass County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Cass County, MN include Pillager Elementary School, Pillager Senior High School and Pine River-backus Alp.
How many public schools are located in Cass County?
21 public schools are located in Cass County.
What percentage of students in Cass County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Cass County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cass County?
Cass County public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cass County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cass County include: Central Lakes Adventure School vs. Pillager Senior High School, Walker-hackensack-akeley Secondary School vs. Pine River-backus High School, Pillager Senior High School vs. Central Lakes Adventure School
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