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 Pine County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pine County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 3,740 students in Pine County, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 109 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Pine County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pine County, MN are Finlayson Elementary School, East Central Elementary School and Crossroads Area Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pine County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Pine County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Pine County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Finlayson Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2159 Hwy 18
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 233-7611
Gr: PK-6 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
East Central Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Gr: PK-6 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Crossroads Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Gr: 7-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
Vision
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1035 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 358-1214
Gr: K-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Willow River Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8142 Pine St
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Gr: PK-6 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Pine City Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
700 6th Ave Sw
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4212
Gr: PK-6 | 863 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Pine City Secondary
(Math: 40% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Gr: 7-12 | 683 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Pine City Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1225 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Willow River Secondary
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8142 Pine St
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Gr: 7-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1010.
Hinckley Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
111 Blair Ave S
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6443
Gr: PK-6 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1111.
Hinckley-finlayson Secondary
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Gr: 7-12 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1212.
East Central Senior Secondary
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6015
Gr: 7-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood
700 6th St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4030
Gr: PK | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
East Central Early Childhood
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Gr: PK-K
Rank: n/an/a
Empower Learning Center
Alternative School
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Gr: 9-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: n/an/a
Midlevel Alc
Alternative School
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4010
Gr: 7-11
Rank: n/an/a
Online Academy Elementary School
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Gr: K-5
Rank: n/an/a
Online Academy High School
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Online Academy Middle School
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Gr: 6-8
Rank: n/an/a
Pine County Transition Program
Special Education School
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Gr: 12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Pine County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Pine County, MN include Finlayson Elementary School, East Central Elementary School and Crossroads Area Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Pine County?
20 public schools are located in Pine County.
What percentage of students in Pine County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Pine County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pine County?
Pine County public schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Pine 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

Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
 The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
 Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?

More Articles

Scholarships
Public School Policies
Local School Topics
Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Jobs