Top Rankings
Bemidji Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 3,134 students in Bemidji Public School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Minnesota.
Public Elementary Schools in Bemidji Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
15 Schools
1,655 Schools
# Students
4,812 Students
571,925 Students
# Teachers
329 Teachers
40,363 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Bemidji Public School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 522 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 70% has decreased from 76% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#230 out of 527 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
41%
Graduation Rate
70%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.61
% American Indian
26%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
2%
12%
% Black
1%
12%
% White
67%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,355 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,255 is less than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$84 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$78 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,355
$17,854
Spending / Student
$16,255
$18,580
Best Bemidji Public School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bemidji Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2900 Division St W
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3299
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3299
Grades: 5-12
| 54 students
Rank: #22.
Gene Dillon Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3795 Division St W
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3100
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3100
Grades: 4-5
| 679 students
Rank: #33.
Bemidji Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1910 Middle School Ave Nw
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3215
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3215
Grades: 6-8
| 1,035 students
Rank: #44.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1617 5th St Ne
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3250
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3250
Grades: PK-3
| 320 students
Rank: #55.
Northern Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
8711 Irvine Ave Nw
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3260
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3260
Grades: PK-3
| 285 students
Rank: #66.
Solway Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
159 Lomen Ave Ne
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 467-3232
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 467-3232
Grades: PK-3
| 146 students
Rank: #77.
Lakeside Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
502 Minnesota Ave Nw
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3477
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3477
Grades: 6-12
| 7 students
Rank: #88.
Horace May Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4415 Washington Ave Sw
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3240
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3240
Grades: PK-3
| 307 students
Rank: #99.
J.w. Smith Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1712 America Ave
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3290
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3290
Grades: PK-3
| 258 students
Rank: #1010.
First City School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1231 5th St Nw
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3458
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3458
Grades: 3-12
| 42 students
Rank: n/an/a
Bemidji Middle Alp
Alternative School
1910 Middle School Ave Nw
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3215
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3215
Grades: 6-8
| 1 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
