Top Rankings
Brainerd Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 1,981 students in Brainerd Public School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public middle schools in Minnesota.
Public Middle Schools in Brainerd Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
13 Schools
1,003 Schools
# Students
6,134 Students
272,988 Students
# Teachers
433 Teachers
17,811 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Brainerd Public School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has increased from 85% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#118 out of 525 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
41%
Graduation Rate
86%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.21
0.59
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
3%
11%
% Black
1%
12%
% White
89%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,222 is higher than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $27,332 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$112 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$168 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,222
$17,854
Spending / Student
$27,332
$18,580
Best Brainerd Public School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Forestview Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6000
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6000
Gr: 5-8 | 1,709 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Middle Level Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Gr: 5-8 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Lincoln Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
400 Quince St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6600
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6600
Gr: 2-12 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
Isd 181 Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Gr: 8-12 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Recent Articles

What Are Public Schools Doing to Fight Obesity and Is It Working?
Childhood obesity rates continue to climb. While many public schools have implemented policies and programs to combat the problem, there is always more to be done. Keep reading to learn what schools are doing to prevent obesity and how you can help.

Massachusetts: Boston Public Schools Offer Free Lunches
Kids in Boston Public Schools will enjoy free lunches this year, thanks to participation in a federal program that cuts out paperwork required to prove eligibility for the free lunch program.

Michigan Schools: Free Meals for All Students in Some Detroit Schools
Learn about a pilot program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would offer two free meals and snacks to all Detroit Public School students daily – a controversial decision for some taxpayers.