Top Rankings
Brainerd Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 1,981 students in Brainerd Public School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public middle schools in Minnesota.
Public Middle Schools in Brainerd Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
13 Schools
999 Schools
# Students
6,134 Students
272,844 Students
# Teachers
433 Teachers
17,802 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Brainerd Public School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has increased from 85% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#118 out of 525 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
41%
Graduation Rate
86%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.21
0.59
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
3%
11%
% Black
1%
12%
% White
89%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,222 is higher than the state median of $17,860. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $27,332 is higher than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$112 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$168 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,222
$17,860
Spending / Student
$27,332
$18,585
Best Brainerd Public School District Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Forestview Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6000
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6000
Gr: 5-8 | 1,709 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Middle Level Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Gr: 5-8 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Lincoln Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
400 Quince St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6600
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6600
Gr: 2-12 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
Isd 181 Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Gr: 8-12 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Support Students on Free / Reduced-Lunch Programs
Explore how U.S. public schools support students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch through nutrition, academic, and wraparound services in 2025.
Hidden Costs of Public Schools: Fees, Supplies & Extras
Explore the hidden costs in public schools鈥攆ees, supplies, extracurriculars鈥攁nd how parents can plan for them in 2025.
Public School Funding 2025: What Families Should Know
Essential insights on public school funding in 2025鈥攈ow it works, what鈥檚 changing, and what families should know to stay ahead.
