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

Best Polk County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 5,077 students in Polk County, MN (there are 4 private schools, serving 894 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Polk County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, MN are Win-e-mac Elementary School, Fertile-beltrami Elementary School and Magelssen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Win-e-mac Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
23130 345th St Se
Erskine, MN 56535
(218) 563-2900
Gr: PK-6 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Fertile-beltrami Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
210 S Mill St
Fertile, MN 56540
(218) 945-6953
Gr: PK-6 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Magelssen Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
700 1st St E
Fosston, MN 56542
(218) 435-6036
Gr: PK-6 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Win-e-mac Secondary
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
23130 345th St Se
Erskine, MN 56535
(218) 563-2900
Gr: 7-12 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Central Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1827 Bygland Rd Se
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-1141
Gr: 6-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #66.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
801 N Central Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-5600
Gr: K-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
East Grand Forks Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1420 4th Ave Nw
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-2405
Gr: 9-12 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Fosston Secondary
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 1st St E
Fosston, MN 56542
(218) 435-1909
Gr: 7-12 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #99.
Fertile-beltrami Secondary
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
210 S Mill St
Fertile, MN 56540
(218) 945-6953
Gr: 7-12 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1010.
Fisher Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
313 Park Ave
Fisher, MN 56723
(218) 891-4105
Gr: PK-6 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1111.
Climax Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
111 E Broadway
Climax, MN 56523
(218) 857-2385
Gr: PK-5 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1212.
South Point Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 13th St Se
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-1149
Gr: 3-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1313.
Fisher Secondary
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
313 Park Ave
Fisher, MN 56723
(218) 891-4105
Gr: 7-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1414.
Crookston Secondary
(Math: 31% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
402 Fisher Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2144
Gr: 6-12 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1515.
Climax Secondary
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
111 E Broadway
Climax, MN 56523
(218) 857-2395
Gr: 6-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: n/an/a
Crookston Pre-k Program
Special Education School
724 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2762
Gr: PK | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: n/an/a
New Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
1427 6th Ave Nw
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-0908
Gr: PK-2 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Northern Lights Academy
Alternative School
600 Bruce St
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 470-8325
Gr: 6-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: n/an/a
Washington Elementary School
724 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2762
Gr: PK-K | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 36%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Polk County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, MN include Win-e-mac Elementary School, Fertile-beltrami Elementary School and Magelssen Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
19 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?

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