Top Rankings
Thief River Falls School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 1,181 students in Thief River Falls School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Minnesota.
Public Elementary Schools in Thief River Falls School District have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 41% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
5 Schools
1,663 Schools
# Students
1,725 Students
575,431 Students
# Teachers
116 Teachers
39,740 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Thief River Falls School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% 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 89% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#243 out of 525 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
41%
Graduation Rate
89%
84%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)29.2%
27.3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.34
0.62
% American Indian
2%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
9%
12%
% Black
n/a
13%
% White
81%
59%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,801 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,758. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,426 is less than the state median of $18,479. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$29 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$27 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,801
$17,758
Spending / Student
$15,426
$18,479
Best Thief River Falls School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
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 Road 61
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-2345
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-2345
Gr: PK-5 | 727 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
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 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Recent Articles
How to Evaluate School Safety Beyond Headlines
Learn how to evaluate school safety beyond headlines by examining reliable data, school climate, emergency planning, bullying prevention, communication, student experiences, and everyday security practices before choosing a school.
Choosing a Public School for Executive Function Needs
Learn how to choose a public school for a child with executive function challenges by evaluating routines, classroom support, organization, accommodations, communication, transitions, and special education services before enrollment.
What School Climate Surveys Tell You Before Enrolling
Learn how school climate surveys reveal student safety, belonging, relationships, engagement, and support, and how families can interpret results carefully before choosing a public school for their child today.
