For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 9,479 students in Crow Wing County, MN (there are 4 private schools, serving 432 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Crow Wing County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Crow Wing County, MN are Lowell Elementary School, Nisswa Elementary School and Eagle View Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Crow Wing County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Crow Wing County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Crow Wing County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
704 3rd Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6550
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6550
Gr: K-4 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Nisswa Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5533 Lakers Lane
Nisswa, MN 56468
(218) 961-6860
Nisswa, MN 56468
(218) 961-6860
Gr: PK-4 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Eagle View Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6539 County Rd 11
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 562-6100
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 562-6100
Gr: PK-4 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Baxter Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
12191 Jasperwood Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6400
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6400
Gr: PK-4 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Cuyuna Range Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
509 6th Ave Ne
Crosby, MN 56441
(218) 545-8803
Crosby, MN 56441
(218) 545-8803
Gr: PK-6 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Crosslake Community Seat Based
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
35808 County Rd 66
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 692-5437
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 692-5437
Gr: K-8 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
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 | 1,626 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Pequot Lakes Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
30805 Olson St
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 568-9357
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 568-9357
Gr: 5-8 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Brainerd Senior High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
702 S 5th St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6200
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,805 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Pequot Lakes Senior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
30805 Olson St
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 568-9210
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
(218) 568-9210
Gr: 9-12 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1111.
Crosby-ironton Secondary
(Math: 41% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
711 Poplar St
Crosby, MN 56441
(218) 545-8802
Crosby, MN 56441
(218) 545-8802
Gr: 7-12 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1120 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6450
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6450
Gr: PK-4 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1515 Oak St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6500
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6500
Gr: PK-4 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1414.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
220 3rd St Nw
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6800
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6800
Gr: PK-4 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1515.
Discovery Woods
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
604 N 7th St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 828-8200
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 828-8200
Gr: PK-6 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
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 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1717.
Crosslake Community 6-12 Online
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
35808 County Road 66
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 537-3628
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 537-3628
Gr: 6-12 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1818.
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: 3-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1919.
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 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Brainerd Early Childhood Sp. Ed.
Special Education School
5546 Fairview Rd
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5438
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5438
Gr: PK | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Crosslake Community K-5 Online
Charter School
35808 County Road 66
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 537-3623
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 537-3623
Gr: K-5 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
5546 Fairview Rd
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5430
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5430
Gr: PK | 215 students Minority enrollment: 16%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Crow Wing County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Crow Wing County, MN include Lowell Elementary School, Nisswa Elementary School and Eagle View Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Crow Wing County?
22 public schools are located in Crow Wing County.
What percentage of students in Crow Wing County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Crow Wing County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Crow Wing County?
Crow Wing County public schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Crow Wing County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Crow Wing County include: Pequot Lakes Senior High School vs. Brainerd Senior High School, Crosby-ironton Secondary vs. Brainerd Senior High School, Brainerd Senior High School vs. Pequot Lakes Senior High School
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