For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 3,740 students in Pine County, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 109 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Pine County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pine County, MN are Finlayson Elementary School, East Central Elementary School and Crossroads Area Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pine County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Pine County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Pine County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Finlayson Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2159 Hwy 18
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 233-7611
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 233-7611
Gr: PK-6 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
East Central Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Gr: PK-6 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Crossroads Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Gr: 7-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
Vision
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1035 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 358-1214
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 358-1214
Gr: K-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Willow River Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8142 Pine St
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Gr: PK-6 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Pine City Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
700 6th Ave Sw
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4212
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4212
Gr: PK-6 | 863 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Pine City Secondary
(Math: 40% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Gr: 7-12 | 683 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Pine City Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1225 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Willow River Secondary
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8142 Pine St
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Gr: 7-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1010.
Hinckley Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
111 Blair Ave S
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6443
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6443
Gr: PK-6 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1111.
Hinckley-finlayson Secondary
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Gr: 7-12 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1212.
East Central Senior Secondary
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6015
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6015
Gr: 7-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
700 6th St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4030
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4030
Gr: PK | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Gr: PK-K
Rank: n/an/a
Empower Learning Center
Alternative School
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Gr: 9-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: n/an/a
Midlevel Alc
Alternative School
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4010
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4010
Gr: 7-11
Rank: n/an/a
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Gr: K-5
Rank: n/an/a
Pine County Transition Program
Special Education School
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Gr: 12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Pine County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Pine County, MN include Finlayson Elementary School, East Central Elementary School and Crossroads Area Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Pine County?
20 public schools are located in Pine County.
What percentage of students in Pine County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Pine County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pine County?
Pine County public schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Pine County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pine County include: Pine City Elementary School vs. Hinckley Elementary School, East Central Elementary School vs. Hinckley Elementary School, Hinckley Elementary School vs. East Central Elementary School
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