For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 2,797 students in Detroit Lakes, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 206 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Detroit Lakes, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Detroit Lakes, MN are Detroit Lakes Senior High School, Rossman Elementary School and Roosevelt Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Detroit Lakes, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Detroit Lakes have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% 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 Detroit Lakes, MN (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Detroit Lakes Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 Roosevelt Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4491
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4491
Grades: 9-12
| 851 students
Rank: #22.
Rossman Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1221 Rossman Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9268
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9268
Grades: PK-5
| 592 students
Rank: #33.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
510 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Grades: PK-5
| 583 students
Rank: #44.
Detroit Lakes Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Grades: 6-8
| 615 students
Rank: #55.
Detroit Lakes Middle Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
500 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Rank: #66.
Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 9-12
| 56 students
Rank: #77.
Detroit Lakes Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Afterschool Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
702 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4761
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4761
Grades: 9-12
| 14 students
Rank: n/an/a
High School Extended Year Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Laker Transitions
Special Education School
1104 West River Road
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4760
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4760
Grades: 12
| 11 students
Rank: n/an/a
204 E Willlow
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Grades: PK
| 75 students
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Detroit Lakes Middle School Target Svc. (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
500 11th Avenue S
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Drake Residential Treatment Center (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
High School Culture Club (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9271
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9271
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Lake Park-audubon Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
702 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9271
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9271
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Lincoln Community Education (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
204 E Willow Street
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Pelican Rpaids Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
702 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9271
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9271
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Roosevelt Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
510 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Rossman Targeted Services Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1221 Rossman Ave.
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Voyageurs Exp Chtr-credit Recovery Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
102 1st Street W
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Voyageurs Exp Chtr-extended Year Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
102 1st St W
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Walker-hackensack-akeley Alc (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
301 4th St
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 6-9
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Detroit Lakes, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Detroit Lakes, MN include Detroit Lakes Senior High School, Rossman Elementary School and Roosevelt Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Detroit Lakes?
12 public schools are located in Detroit Lakes.
What percentage of students in Detroit Lakes go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Detroit Lakes are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Detroit Lakes?
Detroit Lakes public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Detroit Lakes are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Detroit Lakes include: Roosevelt Elementary School vs. Rossman Elementary School, Rossman Elementary School vs. Roosevelt Elementary School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
