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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carlton County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 2,758 students in Carlton County, MN.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Carlton County, MN are Lincoln Secondary, Cromwell-wright Secondary and Barnum Secondary. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carlton County, MN public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Carlton County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Minnesota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Carlton County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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
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
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Carlton County, MN?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Carlton County, MN include Lincoln Secondary, Cromwell-wright Secondary and Barnum Secondary.
How many public middle schools are located in Carlton County?
12 public middle schools are located in Carlton County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carlton County?
Carlton County public middle schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Carlton County are often viewed compared to one another?

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