Best Schools in Brainerd, Minnesota
12 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Brainerd?
Use this page to compare every school in Brainerd 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.
Lowell Elementary
Elementary · Brainerd Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Discovery Woods
Elementary · Discovery Woods. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Brainerd Senior High
High · Brainerd 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 Brainerd for 2026 are Lowell Elementary (8.6/10), Discovery Woods (7.9/10), and Brainerd Senior High (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$237,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$237,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.9/10 despite 67% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Brainerd schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Brainerd
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lowell Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Discovery Woods | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Brainerd Senior High | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Riverside Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Harrison Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Garfield Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | St Francis Catholic School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Lincoln Education Center | 5.1 / 10 |
| 9 | ISD 181 Learning Center | 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $70,269
- Median home value
- $237,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Brainerd compares
Minnesota rank
#131 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$70k
84% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd, Minnesota is home to 12 schools, including 9 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Brainerd 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 Brainerd is Lowell Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Brainerd is served by 2 school districts: Discovery Woods, BRAINERD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 6,238 students.
Brainerd's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,269. The poverty rate in the area is 10.2%.
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
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 369 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 104 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | 461 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 224 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.6 | ||
| 5 | 278 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.5 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Francis Catholic School
Private
201 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 2 | Montessori School of Brainerd
Private
20 students · Pre-K–2nd | — | ||
| 3 | Oak Street Christian School
Private
10 students · Kindergarten–6th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 students · 5th–8th | — |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,833 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 159 students · 8th–12th | 4.4 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 98 students · 2nd–12th | 5.1 |
Schools in Brainerd
Brainerd, Minnesota · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,269
Median Home Value
$237,900
Median Rent
$918/mo
Population
31,749
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Community Profile
Brainerd has a median household income of $70,269. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,900, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Brainerd, Minnesota
How many schools are in Brainerd, Minnesota?
Brainerd has 12 schools, including 9 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Brainerd, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Brainerd is 6.1 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 Brainerd, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Brainerd on MySchoolScout is Lowell Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Brainerd, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Brainerd on MySchoolScout is Lowell Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in Brainerd, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Brainerd on MySchoolScout is Brainerd Senior High with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Brainerd, Minnesota?
Brainerd is served by 2 school districts: Discovery Woods, Brainerd Public School District.
What is the education level in Brainerd, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Brainerd have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Brainerd, Minnesota?
The median household income in Brainerd is approximately $70,269 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Brainerd, Minnesota?
Yes, Brainerd has 3 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Francis Catholic School with a score of 5.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Brainerd, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Brainerd is 11.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Brainerd, 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.