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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Buffalo Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 4,643 students in Buffalo, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 267 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Buffalo, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Buffalo, MN are Northwinds Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School and Buffalo Community Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buffalo, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Buffalo have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% 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 Buffalo, MN (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northwinds Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1111 7th Ave Nw
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8800
Gr: K-5 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Parkside Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
207 3rd St Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8500
Gr: PK-5 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Buffalo Community Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1300 Highway 25 N
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8200
Gr: 6-8 | 1,160 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Eastern Wright Program
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1405 3rd Ave. Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(320) 543-1122
Gr: 5-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Wright Technical Center Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1405 3rd Ave Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 684-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Buffalo Senior High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
877 Bison Blvd
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,681 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Discovery Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 2nd Ave Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8400
Gr: K-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #88.
Tatanka Elementary Stem School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
703 8th St Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8600
Gr: K-5 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #99.
Cornerstones Program
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1405 3rd Ave. Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(320) 543-1122
Gr: 6-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Phoenix Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
877 Bison Blvd
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8102
Gr: 9-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1111.
Wright Technical Center Alc Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1405 3rd Ave Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-4112
Gr: 6-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Rank: #1212.
Terra Nova School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1705 Highway 25 N
Buffalo, MN 55313
(952) 852-0129
Gr: 6-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: n/an/a
Bison Online
877 Bison Blvd
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8100
Rank: n/an/a
Buffalo Early Child. Sp. Educational Program
Special Education School
214 Ne 1st Ave
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8721
Gr: PK | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
Pride Transitions
Special Education School
800 8th St Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-8721
Gr: 12
Rank: n/an/a
Wright Technical Center
Vocational School
1405 3rd Ave Ne
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 684-2200
Gr: 11-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Buffalo, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Buffalo, MN include Northwinds Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School and Buffalo Community Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Buffalo?
16 public schools are located in Buffalo.
What percentage of students in Buffalo go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Buffalo are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Buffalo?
Buffalo public schools minority enrollment is 14% 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 Buffalo are often viewed compared to one another?

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