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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carlton County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 6,274 students in Carlton County, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 93 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Carlton County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Carlton County, MN are Winterquist Elementary School, Lincoln Secondary and Churchill Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carlton County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Carlton County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Carlton County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Winterquist Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2 E Highway 61
Esko, MN 55733
(218) 879-3361
Gr: PK-6 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Lincoln Secondary
(Math: 58% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2 E Highway 61
Esko, MN 55733
(218) 879-4673
Gr: 7-12 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Churchill Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
515 Granite St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3308
Gr: PK-4 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Cromwell-wright Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5624 Highway 210
Cromwell, MN 55726
(218) 644-3716
Gr: PK-6 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Barnum Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3813 E North St
Barnum, MN 55707
(218) 389-6976
Gr: PK-6 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
801 12th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3369
Gr: PK-4 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Moose Lake Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4812 County Rd 10
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-4834
Gr: PK-6 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #88.
Cromwell-wright Secondary
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5624 Highway 210
Cromwell, MN 55726
(218) 644-3716
Gr: 7-12 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Cloquet Senior
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1000 18th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3393
Gr: 9-12 | 761 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Barnum Secondary
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3675 County Rd 13
Barnum, MN 55707
(218) 389-3273
Gr: 7-12 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1111.
Moose Lake Secondary
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4812 County Rd 10
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-4435
Gr: 7-12 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1212.
South Terrace Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
530 Stine Dr
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4225
Gr: PK-5 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
Cloquet Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2001 Washington Ave
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3328
Gr: 5-8 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1414.
Wrenshall Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
207 Pioneer Dr
Wrenshall, MN 55797
(218) 384-4274
Gr: PK-6 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1515.
Northern Lights Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
302 14th Street
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-3060
Gr: K-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1616.
Carlton Secondary
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
405 School Ave
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-4226
Gr: 6-12 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1717.
Wrenshall Secondary
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
207 Pioneer Dr
Wrenshall, MN 55797
(218) 384-4274
Gr: 7-12 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1818.
Cloquet Area Alt. Ed. Programs
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
302 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Gr: 6-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: n/an/a
Caaep Extended Day Program
Alternative School
302 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0115
Gr: 9-12 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
Cloquet Early Childhood Education
Special Education School
515 Granite St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-3308
Gr: PK | 83 students Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
Fond Du Lac Ojibwe School
49 University Road
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-7242
Gr: K-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: n/an/a
Mcf-moose Lake/willow River
Alternative School
1000 Lakeshore Dr
Moose Lake, MN 55767
(218) 485-5025
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
Nla-carlton
Special Education School
405 School Ave
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 878-3060
Gr: 3-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Shared Time
Alternative School
602 Arthur Street
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-1261
Gr: PK-6 | 6 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Carlton County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Carlton County, MN include Winterquist Elementary School, Lincoln Secondary and Churchill Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Carlton County?
26 public schools are located in Carlton County.
What percentage of students in Carlton County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Carlton County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carlton County?
Carlton County public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Carlton County are often viewed compared to one another?

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