Approximately 41% of public preschool students in Minnesota are eligible for free lunch (2026).
The public preschools with the highest eligible for free lunch are listed below (where sufficient data available).
The public preschool with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Minnesota is Home/hospital Instruction, Quantum Steam Academy Elementary School, and Early Childhood Learning Center, each with 100% of students eligible.
Eligible for Free Lunch Range: 80%
100%
Avg. Eligible for Free Lunch: 87%
Public Preschools Eligible For Free Lunch in Minnesota (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Eligible for Free Lunch
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Early Childhood Learning Center
Special Education School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: PK
68 10th St, Highland Building
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6940
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-6940
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Home/hospital Instruction
Alternative School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: PK-12
345 Smith Ave N
Saint Paul, MN 55116
(651) 226-9625
Saint Paul, MN 55116
(651) 226-9625
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Quantum Steam Academy Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: PK-4
497 Humboldt Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55107
(651) 615-6888
Saint Paul, MN 55107
(651) 615-6888
Rank: #44.
Urban Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 99%
Grades: PK-8
1668 Montreal Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55116
(651) 215-9419
Saint Paul, MN 55116
(651) 215-9419
Rank: #55.
Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 94%
Grades: PK-5
807 27th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2930
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2930
Rank: #66.
Pine Point Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 93%
Grades: PK-8
48075 Pow Wow Hwy
Ponsford, MN 56575
(218) 573-4102
Ponsford, MN 56575
(218) 573-4102
Rank: #77.
Innovation Sci & Tech Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 90%
Grades: PK-5
3397 Coon Rapids Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55433
(763) 339-0642
Minneapolis, MN 55433
(763) 339-0642
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Anishinabe Academy Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 89%
Grades: PK-5
3100 E 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 668-0880
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 668-0880
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Hall Academy Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 89%
Grades: PK-5
1601 Aldrich Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2650
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2650
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
New Century School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 89%
Grades: PK-5
1380 Energy Lane, Ste 108
Saint Paul, MN 55108
(651) 478-4535
Saint Paul, MN 55108
(651) 478-4535
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
East African Magnet School
Magnet School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 88%
Grades: PK-6
437 Edmund Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 767-8232
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 767-8232
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Hmong International Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 88%
Grades: PK-5
1501 30th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2250
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2250
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Ponemah Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 88%
Grades: PK-8
25039 Abinoojiin Dr
Ponemah, MN 56666
(218) 554-7337
Ponemah, MN 56666
(218) 554-7337
Rank: #1414.
Benjamin E Mays Ib World School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 87%
Grades: PK-5
560 Rondo Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 325-2400
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 325-2400
Rank: #1515.
Bethune Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 86%
Grades: PK-5
919 Emerson Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2550
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-2550
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Maxfield Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 85%
Grades: PK-5
380 Victoria St N
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 293-8680
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 293-8680
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 85%
Grades: PK
2410 14th St S
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 284-3800
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 284-3800
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Sojourner Truth Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 85%
Grades: PK-8
3820 Emerson Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55412
(612) 588-3599
Minneapolis, MN 55412
(612) 588-3599
Rank: #19 - 2319. - 23.
Compass Academy
Charter School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 84%
Grades: PK-5
10640 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55420
(952) 245-0865
Minneapolis, MN 55420
(952) 245-0865
Rank: #19 - 2319. - 23.
Folwell Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 84%
Grades: PK-5
3611 20th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 668-4550
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 668-4550
Rank: #19 - 2319. - 23.
Lucy Laney Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 84%
Grades: PK-5
3333 Penn Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55412
(612) 668-2200
Minneapolis, MN 55412
(612) 668-2200
Rank: #19 - 2319. - 23.
St. Paul City Primary School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 84%
Grades: PK-5
215 University Ave W
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 225-9177
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 225-9177
Rank: #19 - 2319. - 23.
Universal Academy Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 84%
Grades: PK-6
2912 28th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(651) 340-5994
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(651) 340-5994
Rank: #24 - 2724. - 27.
Cityview Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 83%
Grades: PK-5
3350 4th Street North
Minneapolis, MN 55412
(612) 688-2270
Minneapolis, MN 55412
(612) 688-2270
Rank: #24 - 2724. - 27.
Early Childhood Special Education
Special Education School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 83%
Grades: PK
1500 59th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55430
(763) 561-4480
Minneapolis, MN 55430
(763) 561-4480
Rank: #24 - 2724. - 27.
Four Seasons Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 83%
Grades: PK-5
318 Moore St
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 290-7595
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 290-7595
Rank: #24 - 2724. - 27.
Highwood Hills Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 83%
Grades: PK-5
2188 Londin Ln
Saint Paul, MN 55119
(651) 744-3290
Saint Paul, MN 55119
(651) 744-3290
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Early Educational Hub
Special Education School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 82%
Grades: PK
1317 Charles Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 325-2400
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 325-2400
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Stonebridge World School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 82%
Grades: PK-6
4530 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 877-7400
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 877-7400
Rank: #30 - 3430. - 34.
Bryn Mawr Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-5
252 Upton Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 668-2500
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 668-2500
Rank: #30 - 3430. - 34.
Hazel Park Preparatory Academy
(Math: 11% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-8
1140 White Bear Ave N
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 293-8970
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 293-8970
Rank: #30 - 3430. - 34.
Life Prep
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-6
930 Geranium Ave East
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-6624
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-6624
Rank: #30 - 3430. - 34.
Myers-wilkins Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-5
1027 N 8th Ave E
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 336-8860
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 336-8860
Rank: #30 - 3430. - 34.
Sullivan Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-8
3100 E 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 668-5000
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 668-5000
Rank: #35 - 3935. - 39.
American Indian Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 80%
Grades: PK-8
1075 3rd St E
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 778-3100
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 778-3100
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Minnesota average of public preschools students eligible for free lunch?
The Minnesota average of public preschools students eligible for free lunch is 41%% for 2026.
What are the public preschools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Minnesota?
The best top-ranked public preschools in Minnesota include Early Childhood Learning Center, Home/hospital Instruction and Quantum Steam Academy Elementary School.
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.
