Best Jackson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 1,394 students in Jackson County, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 138 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Jackson County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, MN are Pleasantview Elementary School, Riverside Elementary School and Jackson County Central Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Jackson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pleasantview Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
703 Mill Road E
Lakefield, MN 56150
(507) 662-6625
Gr: 4-5 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
820 Park St
Jackson, MN 56143
(507) 847-5963
Gr: PK-3 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Jackson County Central Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
703 Mill Road E
Lakefield, MN 56150
(507) 662-6625
Gr: 6-8 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Heron Lake-okabena Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
321 Stearns Ave
Heron Lake, MN 56137
(507) 793-2307
Gr: PK-6 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Jackson County Central Senior High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1128 N Hwy
Jackson, MN 56143
(507) 847-5310
Gr: 9-12 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Heron Lake-okabena Secondary
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
124 N Minnesota Ave
Okabena, MN 56161
(507) 853-4507
Gr: 7-12 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Jackson Co Central Credit Recovery
Alternative School
1128 North Highway
Jackson, MN 56143
(507) 847-5310
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, MN include Pleasantview Elementary School, Riverside Elementary School and Jackson County Central Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Jackson County?
7 public schools are located in Jackson County.
What percentage of students in Jackson County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Jackson County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County?
Jackson County public schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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