For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 906 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 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
3 Schools
2,776 Schools
# Students
906 Students
876,311 Students
# Teachers
65 Teachers
57,049 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Pine River-Backus School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 515 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
0.16
0.60
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
2%
12%
% Black
1%
12%
% White
91%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,203 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,742. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,873 is less than the state median of $18,463. 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
$14,203
$17,742
Spending / Student
$13,873
$18,463
Best Pine River-Backus School District Public Schools (2026)
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 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
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 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
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 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Pine River-Backus School District?
Pine River-Backus School District manages 3 public schools serving 906 students.
What is the rank of Pine River-Backus School District?
Pine River-Backus School District is ranked #323 out of 515 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?
91% of Pine River-Backus School District students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, 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 14:1, 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 $13,873 is less than the state median of $18,463. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
