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Best Public Schools in St. Louis County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best St. Louis County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 95 public schools serving 23,928 students in St. Louis County, MN (there are 12 private schools, serving 1,817 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in St.
Louis County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in St. Louis County, MN are Congdon Elementary School, Homecroft Elementary School and Lester Park Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
St. Louis County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in St. Louis County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in St. Louis County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Congdon Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3116 E Superior St
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 336-8825
Gr: K-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Homecroft Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4784 Howard Gnesen Rd
Duluth, MN 55803
(218) 336-8865
Gr: PK-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Lester Park Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5300 Glenwood St
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 336-8875
Gr: K-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Pike Lake Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5682 Martin Rd
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 729-8214
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
Hermantown Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5365 W Arrowhead
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 729-6891
Gr: K-4 | 731 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
Lowell Elementary Spanish Immersion
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2000 Rice Lake Rd
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 336-8895
Gr: K-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #77.
Lakewood Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5207 N Tischer Rd
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 336-8870
Gr: K-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #88.
Harbor City International Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
332 W Michigan Street Ste 300
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-7574
Gr: 9-12 | 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #99.
North Shore Community School
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5926 Ryan Rd
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 525-0663
Gr: PK-6 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1010.
Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1114 E 23rd St
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 208-0842
Gr: 4-7 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
Bay View Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
8708 Vinland St
Duluth, MN 55810
(218) 628-4949
Gr: PK-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1212.
Hermantown Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4335 Hawk Circle Drive
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 729-6690
Gr: 5-8 | 677 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1313.
Ordean East Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2900 E 4th St
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 336-8940
Gr: 6-8 | 1,037 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1414.
Merritt Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
8659 Unity Drive
Mountain Iron, MN 55768
(218) 735-8271
Gr: PK-6 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1515.
North Woods Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10248 Olson Rd E
Cook, MN 55723
(218) 666-5221
Gr: PK-6 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1616.
Proctor Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
131 9th Ave
Duluth, MN 55810
(218) 628-4926
Gr: 9-12 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1717.
Floodwood Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
115 4th Ave W
Floodwood, MN 55736
(218) 476-2285
Gr: PK-6 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1818.
East High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
301 N 40th Ave E
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 336-8845
Gr: 9-12 | 1,495 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1919.
Hermantown Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4335 Hawk Circle Dr
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 729-8874
Gr: 9-12 | 655 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Arrowhead Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1918 Arlington Ave N
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 625-6766
Gr: 4-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Mesabi Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
800 E 21st St
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 208-0841
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2222.
Nlc 6076 Alc Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1201 S 13th Ave
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-9201
Gr: 7-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2323.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
520 E Harvey St
Ely, MN 55731
(218) 365-6166
Gr: PK-5 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2424.
Memorial Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
600 E Harvey St
Ely, MN 55731
(218) 365-6166
Gr: 6-8 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #2525.
Chisholm Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
300 3rd Ave Sw
Chisholm, MN 55719
(218) 254-5726
Gr: 4-6 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2626.
Tower-soudan Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
415 N 2nd St
Tower, MN 55790
(218) 753-4040
Gr: PK-6 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2727.
North Star Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
411 S 5th Avenue
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 742-3943
Gr: 3-6 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2828.
Memorial High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
600 E Harvey St
Ely, MN 55731
(218) 365-6166
Gr: 9-12 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2929.
Hibbing High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
800 E 21st St
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 208-0841
Gr: 8-12 | 829 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #3030.
Cherry Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3943 Tamminen Rd
Iron, MN 55751
(218) 258-8991
Gr: PK-6 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3131.
Mesabi East Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N 1st St W
Aurora, MN 55705
(218) 229-3321
Gr: PK-6 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #3232.
Mountain Iron-buhl Secondary
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8659 Unity Drive
Mountain Iron, MN 55768
(218) 735-8271
Gr: 7-12 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #3333.
South Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8162 Swan Lake Rd
Saginaw, MN 55779
(218) 345-6789
Gr: PK-6 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #3434.
Vaughan-steffensrud Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 1st Ave Ne
Chisholm, MN 55719
(218) 254-5726
Gr: PK-3 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #3535.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2000 Rice Lake Rd
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 336-8895
Gr: K-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in St. Louis County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in St. Louis County, MN include Congdon Elementary School, Homecroft Elementary School and Lester Park Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in St. Louis County?
87 public schools are located in St. Louis County.
What percentage of students in St. Louis County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in St. Louis County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in St. Louis County?
St. Louis County public schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in St. Louis County are often viewed compared to one another?

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