For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 2,855 students in Forest Lake, MN.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Forest Lake, MN are Columbus Elementary School, Lila Upper School and North Lakes Academy Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Forest Lake, MN public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 51% statewide average). Elementary schools in Forest Lake have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Forest Lake, MN (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Columbus Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
17345 Notre Dame St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8900
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8900
Grades: PK-6
| 426 students
Rank: #22.
Lila Upper School
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
19850 Fenway Avenue N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Grades: 6-12
| 572 students
Rank: #33.
North Lakes Academy Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4576 232nd St N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 797-6266
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 797-6266
Grades: K-5
| 266 students
Rank: #44.
Forest Lake Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
408 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3200
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3200
Grades: 4-6
| 315 students
Rank: #55.
Lila Lower School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
246 Se 11th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Grades: 1-5
| 597 students
Rank: #66.
Forest View Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8200
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8200
Grades: PK-3
| 333 students
Rank: #77.
North Lakes Academy Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4576 232nd St N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2688
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2688
Grades: 6-8
| 148 students
Rank: #88.
Forest Lake Area Community School
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
943 Sw 9th Avenue
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Grades: 6-12
| 198 students
Rank: n/an/a
Online Learning Program
Charter School
19850 Fenway Ave N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Forest Lake, Minnesota Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
200 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Grades: PK-6
| 114 students
Fairview Recovery Services High School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
246 11th Avenue Se
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2078
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2078
Grades: 9-12
| 13 students
Forest Lake Targeted Services (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
200 Sw Ave Se
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8270
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8270
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Lakes Ed. Center (Closed 2010)
Special Education School
121 11th Ave S.e.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8356
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8356
Grades: 10-11
| 4 students
943 Sw 9th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
943 Sw 9th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8700
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8700
Grades: 7-9
| 640 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Forest Lake, MN?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Forest Lake, MN include Columbus Elementary School, Lila Upper School and North Lakes Academy Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Forest Lake?
9 public elementary schools are located in Forest Lake.
What is the racial composition of students in Forest Lake?
Forest Lake public elementary schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Forest Lake are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Forest Lake include: Forest View Elementary School vs. Columbus Elementary School, Columbus Elementary School vs. Forest View 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.