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 Elementary Schools in Rice County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Rice County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 26 public elementary schools serving 5,349 students in Rice County, MN.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Rice County, MN are Prairie Creek Community School, Bridgewater Elementary School and Spring Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rice County, MN public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 51% statewide average). Elementary schools in Rice County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the Minnesota public elementary school average of 41% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Rice County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Prairie Creek Community School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
27695 Denmark Ave
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-9640
Gr: K-5 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Bridgewater Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
401 Jefferson Pkwy
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 664-3300
Gr: K-5 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
Spring Creek Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1400 Maple St
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-3470
Gr: PK-5 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #44.
Greenvale Park Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
500 Lincoln Pkwy
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-3500
Gr: PK-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #55.
Northfield Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2200 Division St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 663-0650
Gr: 6-8 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #66.
Arcadia Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1719 Cannon Rd
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 663-8806
Gr: 6-12 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #77.
Big 9 Online Elementary School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Orchard St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-1201
Gr: K-5
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Big 9 Online Middle School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Orchard St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-1201
Gr: 6-8
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Laura Baker Sun Program
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
200 Western Ave Nw, Ste A
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 209-2030
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Minnesota State Academy For Blind
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 6th Ave Se
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 412-5200
Gr: PK-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
Alexander Learning Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
200 Western Ave Nw, Ste A
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 209-2030
Gr: K-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1212.
Morristown Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
23 Ann St
Morristown, MN 55052
(507) 685-4222
Gr: 5-6 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1313.
Nerstrand Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
205 S 2nd St
Nerstrand, MN 55053
(507) 333-6850
Gr: K-5 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1414.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
510 Lincoln Ave Nw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6600
Gr: K-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1515.
Cannon River Stem School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1800 14th St Ne
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 331-7836
Gr: K-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1616.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
922 Sw Home Place
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6500
Gr: PK-5 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1717.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
925 Parshall St
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6700
Gr: PK-5 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1818.
Minnesota State Academy For Deaf
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
615 Olof Hanson Dr
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 412-5200
Gr: PK-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Discovery Public School - Faribault
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
126 8th Street Nw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 331-5423
Gr: 6-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Falcons Online Academy-middle
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
710 17th St Sw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6000
Gr: 5-8 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2121.
Faribault Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
704 17th St Sw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6300
Gr: 6-8 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2222.
Northfield Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Orchard St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 645-1201
Gr: 6-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Faribault Allina Php
Alternative School
200 State Ave
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 497-3600
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Faribault Day School Alc
Alternative School
2855 1st Ave Nw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6187
Gr: 6-8
Rank: n/an/a
Out Of State Care And Treatment
Alternative School
201 Orchard St S
Northfield, MN 55057
(507) 663-0600
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Surad Academy
Charter School
128 8th Ave Nw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 805-2335
Gr: K-6 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Rice County, MN?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Rice County, MN include Prairie Creek Community School, Bridgewater Elementary School and Spring Creek Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Rice County?
23 public elementary schools are located in Rice County.
What is the racial composition of students in Rice County?
Rice County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the Minnesota public elementary schools average of 41% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Rice 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

Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
 Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes

More Articles

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