Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Crow Wing County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Crow Wing County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 9,479 students in Crow Wing County, MN (there are 4 private schools, serving 432 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Crow Wing County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Crow Wing County, MN are Lowell Elementary School, Nisswa Elementary School and Eagle View Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Crow Wing 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 57% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Crow Wing County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Crow Wing County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
704 3rd Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6550
Gr: K-4 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Nisswa Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5533 Lakers Lane
Nisswa, MN 56468
(218) 961-6860
Gr: PK-4 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Eagle View Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6539 County Rd 11
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 562-6100
Gr: PK-4 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Baxter Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
12191 Jasperwood Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6400
Gr: PK-4 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Cuyuna Range Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
509 6th Ave Ne
Crosby, MN 56441
(218) 545-8803
Gr: PK-6 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Crosslake Community Seat Based
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
35808 County Rd 66
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 692-5437
Gr: K-8 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Forestview Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6000
Gr: 5-8 | 1,626 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Pequot Lakes Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
30805 Olson St
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 568-9357
Gr: 5-8 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Brainerd Senior High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
702 S 5th St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,805 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Pequot Lakes Senior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
30805 Olson St
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 568-9210
Gr: 9-12 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1111.
Crosby-ironton Secondary
(Math: 41% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
711 Poplar St
Crosby, MN 56441
(218) 545-8802
Gr: 7-12 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1120 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6450
Gr: PK-4 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1515 Oak St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6500
Gr: PK-4 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1414.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
220 3rd St Nw
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6800
Gr: PK-4 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1515.
Discovery Woods
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
604 N 7th St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 828-8200
Gr: PK-6 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
Middle Level Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Gr: 5-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1717.
Crosslake Community 6-12 Online
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
35808 County Road 66
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 537-3628
Gr: 6-12 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1818.
Lincoln Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Quince St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6600
Gr: 3-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1919.
Isd 181 Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Gr: 8-12 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Brainerd Early Childhood Sp. Ed.
Special Education School
5546 Fairview Rd
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5438
Gr: PK | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Brainerd Online School
702 S 5th St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6273
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Crosslake Community K-5 Online
Charter School
35808 County Road 66
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 537-3623
Gr: K-5 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
Welc - Vpk
5546 Fairview Rd
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5430
Gr: PK | 215 students Minority enrollment: 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Crow Wing County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Crow Wing County, MN include Lowell Elementary School, Nisswa Elementary School and Eagle View Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Crow Wing County?
22 public schools are located in Crow Wing County.
What percentage of students in Crow Wing County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Crow Wing County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Crow Wing County?
Crow Wing County public schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Crow Wing County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (MN):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
 Minnesota Top-Ranked Public Schools
Minnesota Top-Ranked Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools

More Articles

Public School Jobs
About Public Schools
Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Policies
Local School Topics