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 2025 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 1,790 students in Detroit Lakes Public School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Minnesota.
Public Elementary Schools in Detroit Lakes Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
12 Schools
1,655 Schools
# Students
2,797 Students
571,925 Students
# Teachers
189 Teachers
40,363 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 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 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%
84%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.43
0.61
% American Indian
17%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
3%
12%
% Black
2%
12%
% White
73%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
7%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,686 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,911 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (MN)
Total Revenue
$47 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$67 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,686
$17,854
Spending / Student
$23,911
$18,580

Best Detroit Lakes Public School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
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 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
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 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
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

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Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 12 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,797 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 27%
  • : 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

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