For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 6,401 students in Benton County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 355 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Benton County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Benton County, MN are Foley Elementary School, Foley Intermediate Elementary School and Rice Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Benton County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Benton County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Benton County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Foley Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
743 Penn St
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7286
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7286
Gr: PK-3 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Foley Intermediate Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 Norman Ave N
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-6251
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-6251
Gr: 4-8 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Rice Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
200 Ne 3rd Ave
Rice, MN 56367
(320) 393-2177
Rice, MN 56367
(320) 393-2177
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Pleasantview Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1009 N 6th Ave
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-0506
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-0506
Gr: PK-5 | 734 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
Mississippi Heights Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1003 S 4th St
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-0122
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-0122
Gr: K-5 | 808 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Benton-stearns Education District
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
324 3rd Avenue South
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Gr: 5-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Benton-stearns Education Pioneers
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 223-7401
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 223-7401
Gr: K-6 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
Sauk Rapids-rice Senior High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1835 Osauka Rd Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4700
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,319 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Foley Senior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
621 Penn St
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7246
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7246
Gr: 9-12 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1010.
Sauk Rapids-rice Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
901 1st St S
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 654-9073
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 654-9073
Gr: 6-8 | 1,055 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
Alc - Sauk Rapids
Alternative School
1833 Osauka Rd Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Gr: 7-12 | 59 students Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
Benton Stearns Education District 1
Special Education School
324 3rd Ave South
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-8940
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-8940
Gr: 12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Education - Asd
Special Education School
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 223-7401
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 223-7401
Gr: K-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: n/an/a
Hillside Early Childhood Center
Special Education School
30 Fourth Ave S
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 255-8910
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 255-8910
Gr: PK | 58 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: n/an/a
Sauk Rapids Ecfe
Alternative School
30 4th Ave S
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1101
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1101
Gr: PK
Rank: n/an/a
1833 Osauka Road Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1822
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1822
Gr: 6-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Benton County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Benton County, MN include Foley Elementary School, Foley Intermediate Elementary School and Rice Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Benton County?
17 public schools are located in Benton County.
What percentage of students in Benton County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Benton County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Benton County?
Benton County public schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Benton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Benton County include: Mississippi Heights Elementary School vs. Pleasantview Elementary School, Pleasantview Elementary School vs. Mississippi Heights Elementary School, Foley Intermediate Elementary School vs. Sauk Rapids-rice Middle School
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