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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pennington County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 2,075 students in Pennington County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 116 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Pennington County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pennington County, MN are Challenger Elementary School, Goodridge Elementary School and Northwest Area Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pennington County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Pennington County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% 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 Pennington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Challenger Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
601 County Road 61
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-2345
Gr: PK-5 | 727 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Goodridge Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Osmund Ave
Goodridge, MN 56725
(218) 378-4134
Gr: PK-6 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Northwest Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
230 Labree Ave S
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-7051
Gr: 9-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Lincoln Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Knight Ave S
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-7432
Gr: 9-12 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Franklin Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Spruce Ave S
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8813
Gr: 6-8 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
Goodridge Secondary
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Osmund Ave
Goodridge, MN 56725
(218) 378-4133
Gr: 7-12 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: n/an/a
Summer Nw Area Learning Center
Alternative School
230 Labree Ave So
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-8711
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Pennington County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Pennington County, MN include Challenger Elementary School, Goodridge Elementary School and Northwest Area Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Pennington County?
7 public schools are located in Pennington County.
What percentage of students in Pennington County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Pennington County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennington County?
Pennington County public schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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