Best Schools in Baxter, Minnesota
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Baxter?
Use this page to compare every school in Baxter 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.
Forestview Middle
Middle · Brainerd Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Baxter Elementary
Elementary · Brainerd Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lake Region Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Baxter for 2026 are Forestview Middle (7.2/10), Baxter Elementary (5.9/10), and Lake Region Christian School (3.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$299,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$299,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Baxter
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forestview Middle | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Baxter Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Lake Region Christian School | 3.3 / 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
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $71,294
- Median home value
- $299,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Baxter compares
Minnesota rank
#188 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$71k
85% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Baxter, Minnesota
Baxter, Minnesota is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Baxter 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 Baxter is Forestview Middle with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Baxter is served by 1 school district: BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 6,134 students.
Baxter's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,294. The poverty rate in the area is 10.9%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 534 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,709 students · 5th–8th | 7.2 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 199 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.0 | ||
| 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 | Lake Region Christian School
Private
281 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.3 | ||
Schools in Baxter
Baxter, Minnesota · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$71,294
Median Home Value
$299,900
Median Rent
$1,115/mo
Population
8,729
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Community Profile
Baxter has a median household income of $71,294. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,900, with a median rent of $1,115/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- Other
- 2
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 Baxter, Minnesota
How many schools are in Baxter, Minnesota?
Baxter has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Baxter, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Baxter is 5.6 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 Baxter, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Baxter on MySchoolScout is Forestview Middle with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Baxter, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Baxter on MySchoolScout is Baxter Elementary with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Baxter, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Baxter on MySchoolScout is Forestview Middle with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Baxter, Minnesota?
Baxter is served by 1 school district: Brainerd Public School District.
What is the education level in Baxter, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Baxter have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Baxter, Minnesota?
The median household income in Baxter is approximately $71,294 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Baxter, Minnesota?
Yes, Baxter has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Lake Region Christian School with a score of 3.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Baxter, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Baxter is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Baxter, 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.
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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.