For the 2025-26 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 879 students in Pine River-Backus School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Minnesota.
Public Schools in Pine River-Backus School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
5 Schools
2,724 Schools
# Students
879 Students
870,541 Students
# Teachers
70 Teachers
57,765 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Pine River-Backus School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% 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 87% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#309 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
41%
Graduation Rate
87%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.15
0.59
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
1%
12%
% Black
1%
12%
% White
92%
61%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,639 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 $14,299 is less than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$13 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$13 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,639
$17,860
Spending / Student
$14,299
$18,585
Best Pine River-Backus School District Public Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pine River-backus Alp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Gr: 9-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Pine River-backus Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 Murray Ave
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4447
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4447
Gr: PK-6 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Pine River-backus High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
810 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4425
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4425
Gr: 7-12 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Pine River-backus Midlevel Alp
Alternative School
1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Gr: 7-8
Rank: n/an/a
Prb Pequot Lakes Midlevel Alc
Alternative School
30805 Olson St
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 568-9358
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 568-9358
Gr: 6-8
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Pine River-Backus School District?
Pine River-Backus School District manages 5 public schools serving 879 students.
What is the rank of Pine River-Backus School District?
Pine River-Backus School District is ranked #329 out of 520 school districts in Minnesota (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Pine River-Backus School District?
92% of Pine River-Backus School District students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, 1% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Pine River-Backus School District?
Pine River-Backus School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.
What is Pine River-Backus School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,299 is less than the state median of $18,585. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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