Best Schools in Albert Lea, Minnesota
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Albert Lea?
Use this page to compare every school in Albert Lea by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
St Theodore's EL
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Halverson Elementary
Elementary · Albert Lea Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lakeview Elementary
Elementary · Albert Lea Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Albert Lea for 2026 are St Theodore's EL (7.9/10), Halverson Elementary (7.4/10), and Lakeview Elementary (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$161,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$161,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Albert Lea
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Theodore's EL | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Halverson Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Lakeview Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Sibley Elementary | 5.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Southwest Middle | 5.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Hawthorne Elementary | 4.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Albert Lea Area Learning Center | 4.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Albert Lea Senior High | 4.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $66,479
- Median home value
- $161,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Albert Lea compares
Minnesota rank
#148 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$66k
79% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea, Minnesota is home to 9 schools, including 8 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Albert Lea show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Albert Lea is St Theodore's EL with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Albert Lea is served by 1 school district: ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 3,338 students.
Albert Lea's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,479. The poverty rate in the area is 10.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 368 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 412 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 273 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 4 | 403 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Theodore's EL
Private
64 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 455 students · 6th–7th | 5.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 124 students · 6th–12th | 4.8 |
| 2 | 1,229 students · 8th–12th | 4.4 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.9 |
Schools in Albert Lea
Albert Lea, Minnesota · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,479
Median Home Value
$161,100
Median Rent
$843/mo
Population
21,467
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Community Profile
Albert Lea has a median household income of $66,479. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,100, with a median rent of $843/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Minnesota
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Albert Lea, Minnesota
How many schools are in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
Albert Lea has 9 schools, including 8 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Albert Lea is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Albert Lea on MySchoolScout is St Theodore's EL with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Albert Lea on MySchoolScout is St Theodore's EL with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Albert Lea on MySchoolScout is Southwest Middle with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best high school in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Albert Lea on MySchoolScout is Albert Lea Area Learning Center with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Albert Lea, Minnesota?
Albert Lea is served by 1 school district: Albert Lea Public School District.
What is the education level in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Albert Lea have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
The median household income in Albert Lea is approximately $66,479 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
Yes, Albert Lea has 1 private school alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Theodore's EL with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Albert Lea is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Albert Lea, Minnesota?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Minnesota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.