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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Forest Lake Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 5,768 students in Forest Lake, MN (there are 1 private school, serving 336 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Forest Lake, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Forest Lake, MN are Columbus Elementary School, Lila Kinder Center and Forest Lake Area High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Forest Lake, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Forest Lake have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Forest Lake, MN (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Columbus Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
17345 Notre Dame St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8900
Gr: PK-6 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Lila Kinder Center
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
121 Se 11th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Gr: PK-K
Rank: #33.
Forest Lake Area High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6101 Scandia Tr N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8401
Gr: 9-12 | 1,805 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #44.
North Lakes Academy Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4576 232nd St N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2773
Gr: K-6 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Lila Upper School
Charter School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
19850 Fenway Avenue N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Gr: 6-12 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
North Lakes Academy 7-12 Campus
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
308 15th St Sw
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2688
Gr: 7-12 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Forest Lake Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
408 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3200
Gr: 4-6 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #88.
Lila Lower School
Charter School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
246 Se 11th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Gr: 1-5 | 607 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #99.
Forest View Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
620 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8200
Gr: PK-3 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1010.
Forest Lake Area Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
21395 Goodview Ave N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3000
Gr: 7-8 | 916 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1111.
Forest Lake Area Community School
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
943 Sw 9th Avenue
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Gr: 6-12 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
Community School Credit Recovery
Alternative School
943 9th Ave Sw
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Special Education
Special Education School
943 Sw 9th Avenue
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8129
Gr: PK | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Forest Lake Therapeutic Education
Alternative School
943 9th Ave Sw
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Gr: 7-12 | 4 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
Online Learning Program
Charter School
19850 Fenway Ave N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Out-of-state Care And Treatment
Alternative School
6100 210th St N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8129
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Step
Special Education School
200 Sw 4th Street
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8129
Gr: 10-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Forest Lake, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Forest Lake, MN include Columbus Elementary School, Lila Kinder Center and Forest Lake Area High School.
How many public schools are located in Forest Lake?
17 public schools are located in Forest Lake.
What percentage of students in Forest Lake go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Forest Lake are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Forest Lake?
Forest Lake public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Forest Lake are often viewed compared to one another?

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