Detroit Lakes Public School District

702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-3026
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Detroit Lakes Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:

Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 2,728 students in Detroit Lakes Public School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Minnesota.
Public Schools in Detroit Lakes Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
14 Schools
2,768 Schools
# Students
2,728 Students
875,540 Students
# Teachers
187 Teachers
57,000 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Detroit Lakes Public School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 514 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 82% has decreased from 87% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MN)
#133 out of 525 school districts
(Top 30%)
48%
46%
54%
51%
50%
41%
82%
83.3%
(2022-23)
30%
27.3%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.43
0.60
% American Indian
16%
2%
% Asian
n/a
7%
% Hispanic
3%
12%
% Black
2%
12%
% White
74%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
7%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,646 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,325. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,023 is less than the state median of $20,059. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MN)
Total Revenue
$48 MM
$16,920 MM
Spending
$49 MM
$17,562 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,646
$19,325
Spending / Student
$18,023
$20,059

Best Detroit Lakes Public School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Detroit Lakes Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1301 Roosevelt Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4491
Gr: 9-12 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Rossman Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1221 Rossman Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9268
Gr: PK-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
510 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Gr: PK-5 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Detroit Lakes Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
500 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Gr: 6-8 | 617 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #55.
Detroit Lakes Middle Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
500 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Gr: 6-8
Rank: #66.
Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Detroit Lakes Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Afterschool Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
E-laker Online School
702 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4761
Gr: 9-12 | 38 students Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
High School Extended Year Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laker Transitions
Special Education School
1104 West River Road
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4760
Gr: 12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
204 Willow St E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Gr: PK | 64 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
Out Of State Care And Treatment
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9271
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
204 Willow St E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Gr: PK | 17 students Minority enrollment: 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Detroit Lakes Public School District?
Detroit Lakes Public School District manages 14 public schools serving 2,728 students.
What is the rank of Detroit Lakes Public School District?
Detroit Lakes Public School District is ranked #138 out of 514 school districts in Minnesota (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Minnesota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Detroit Lakes Public School District?
74% of Detroit Lakes Public School District students are White, 16% of students are American Indian, 5% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, and 2% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Detroit Lakes Public School District?
Detroit Lakes Public School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.
What is Detroit Lakes Public School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $18,023 is less than the state median of $20,059. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.

Recent Articles

When Your Child Gets a Teacher You Didn't Request
When Your Child Gets a Teacher You Didn't Request
Learn what parents can do when a child is assigned to an unexpected teacher, including when to wait, communicate, document concerns, request support, and seek reassignment appropriately.
Before Accepting a Public School Seat: 15 Checks
Before Accepting a Public School Seat: 15 Checks
Before accepting a public school seat, parents should verify enrollment terms, transportation, staffing, academics, safety, support services, schedules, attendance rules, extracurriculars, costs, and long-term placement details carefully.
Will This Public School Offer the Same Programs Next Year?
Will This Public School Offer the Same Programs Next Year?
Learn how parents can determine whether public school programs will continue next year by checking budgets, enrollment, staffing, board documents, grants, course schedules, and district priorities before enrolling.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • District size: 14 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,728 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 26%
  • : 82% (Top 50% in MN)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 48% (Top 30%)
  • : 54% (Top 30%)
  • : 50% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education

Quick Links