For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 2,075 students in Pennington County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 136 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Pennington County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Pennington County, MN are Challenger Elementary School, Goodridge Elementary School and Northwest Area Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Pennington County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Challenger Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
601 County Rd 61
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-2345
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-2345
Gr: PK-5 | 781 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Goodridge Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
201 Osmund Ave
Goodridge, MN 56725
(218) 378-4134
Goodridge, MN 56725
(218) 378-4134
Gr: PK-6 | 156 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Northwest Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
230 Labree Ave S
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-7051
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-7051
Gr: 9-12 | 29 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #44.
Lincoln Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
101 Knight Ave S
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-7432
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-7432
Gr: 9-12 | 565 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Franklin Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
300 Spruce Ave S
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8813
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8813
Gr: 6-8 | 436 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #66.
Goodridge Secondary
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Osmund Ave
Goodridge, MN 56725
(218) 378-4133
Goodridge, MN 56725
(218) 378-4133
Gr: 7-12 | 108 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
Summer Nw Area Learning Center
Alternative School
230 Labree Ave So
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8711
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8711
Gr: 9-12
Pennington County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Booster Club Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
601 County Road 61
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-2345
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-2345
Gr: K-5
Franklin Prowler Academy Targ Servs (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
300 S. Spruce Avenue
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8813
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8813
Gr: 6-8
Northwest Alc High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
230 Labree Ave. S.
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8711
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8711
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Pennington County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Pennington County, MN include Challenger Elementary School, Goodridge Elementary School and Northwest Area Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Pennington County?
7 public schools are located in Pennington County.
What percentage of students in Pennington County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Pennington County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.