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Best Public Schools in Cass County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cass County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 4,512 students in Cass County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 109 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Cass County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cass County, MN are Pillager Elementary School, Pillager Senior High School and Pine River-backus Alp. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cass County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Cass County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is equal to the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cass County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pillager Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
323 E 2nd St S
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-2110
Gr: PK-4 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Pillager Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
323 E 2nd St S
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-2117
Gr: 9-12 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Pine River-backus Alp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Gr: 9-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Pillager Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
323 E 2nd St S
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-3772
Gr: 5-8 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Pine River-backus Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Murray Ave
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4447
Gr: PK-6 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Little Sand
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
316 Main St E
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Gr: 7-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Central Lakes Adventure School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
12763 County Road 1 Sw
Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-3875
Gr: 7-12 | 36 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Pine River-backus High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
810 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4425
Gr: 7-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Walker-hackensack-akeley Secondary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
301 4th St
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-5322
Gr: 7-12 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1010.
W.h.a. Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
205 Highland Ave W
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-4261
Gr: PK-6 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1111.
Cass Lake-bena Secondary
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
15308 State 371 Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Gr: 9-12 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1212.
Cass Lake-bena Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
15 4th St Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2201
Gr: PK-4 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Northland Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
316 Main St E
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Gr: 6-12 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1414.
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
208 Central Ave Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2204
Gr: 7-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1515.
Cass Lake-bena Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
15314 State 371 Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2203
Gr: 5-8 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
Northland Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
316 Main St E
Remer, MN 56672
(218) 566-2351
Gr: PK-5 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
Bug-o-nay-ge-shig School
15353 Silver Eagle Dr Nw
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-3000
Gr: K-12 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 47:1
Rank: n/an/a
Up North Learning Center
Special Education School
5413 County Road 37 Nw
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-6525
Gr: K-12 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cass County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Cass County, MN include Pillager Elementary School, Pillager Senior High School and Pine River-backus Alp.
How many public schools are located in Cass County?
21 public schools are located in Cass County.
What percentage of students in Cass County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Cass County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cass County?
Cass County public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is equal to the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cass County are often viewed compared to one another?

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