Top Rankings
Detroit Lakes Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 932 students in Detroit Lakes Public School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public high schools in Minnesota.
Public High Schools in Detroit Lakes Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the Minnesota public high school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Detroit Lakes Public School District have a Graduation Rate of 82%, which is less than the Minnesota average of 83%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Detroit Lakes Senior High School, with 89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Minnesota or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public high school average of 37% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
12 Schools
1,172 Schools
# Students
2,797 Students
309,925 Students
# Teachers
189 Teachers
18,770 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Detroit Lakes 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 82% has decreased from 87% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#133 out of 525 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
41%
Graduation Rate
82%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.43
0.57
% American Indian
17%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
3%
11%
% Black
2%
11%
% White
73%
63%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,686 in this school district is less 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 $23,911 is higher than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$47 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$67 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,686
$17,860
Spending / Student
$23,911
$18,585
Best Detroit Lakes Public School District Public High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Detroit Lakes Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 Roosevelt Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4491
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4491
Gr: 9-12 | 851 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #33.
Detroit Lakes Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Afterschool Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
702 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4761
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4761
Gr: 9-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
High School Extended Year Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laker Transitions
Special Education School
1104 West River Road
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4760
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4760
Gr: 12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
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.
