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

Best Rice County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public middle schools serving 2,258 students in Rice County, MN.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Rice County, MN are Northfield Middle School, Arcadia Charter School and Big 9 Online Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rice County, MN public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Rice County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Rice County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northfield Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2200 Division St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 663-0650
Gr: 6-8 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Arcadia Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1719 Cannon Rd
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 663-8806
Gr: 6-12 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Big 9 Online Middle School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Orchard St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-1201
Gr: 6-8
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Laura Baker Sun Program
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
200 Western Ave Nw, Ste A
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 209-2030
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Minnesota State Academy For Blind
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 6th Ave Se
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 412-5200
Gr: PK-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
Alexander Learning Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
200 Western Ave Nw, Ste A
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 209-2030
Gr: K-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Waterville-elysian-morristown Junior
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
23 Ann St
Morristown, MN 55052
(507) 685-4222
Gr: 7-8 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #88.
Cannon River Stem School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1800 14th St Ne
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 331-7836
Gr: K-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #99.
Minnesota State Academy For Deaf
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
615 Olof Hanson Dr
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 412-5200
Gr: PK-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Discovery Public School - Faribault
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
126 8th Street Nw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 331-5423
Gr: 6-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Falcons Online Academy-middle
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
710 17th St Sw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6000
Gr: 5-8 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1212.
Faribault Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
704 17th St Sw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6300
Gr: 6-8 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1313.
Northfield Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Orchard St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-1201
Gr: 6-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Faribault Allina Php
Alternative School
200 State Ave
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 497-3600
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Faribault Day School Alc
Alternative School
2855 1st Ave Nw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6187
Gr: 6-8
Rank: n/an/a
Msad Online Academy
615 Olof Hanson Dr
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 412-5200
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Out Of State Care And Treatment
Alternative School
201 Orchard St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 663-0600
Gr: K-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Rice County, MN?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Rice County, MN include Northfield Middle School, Arcadia Charter School and Big 9 Online Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Rice County?
13 public middle schools are located in Rice County.
What is the racial composition of students in Rice County?
Rice County public middle schools minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public middle schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Rice County are often viewed compared to one another?

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