Best Schools in Circle Pines, Minnesota
8 schools · 3 Elementary · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Circle Pines?
Use this page to compare every school in Circle Pines 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.
Centennial Elementary
Elementary · Centennial Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Golden Lake Elementary
Elementary · Centennial Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Centennial High School
High · Centennial 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 Circle Pines for 2026 are Centennial Elementary (7.6/10), Golden Lake Elementary (6.7/10), and Centennial High School (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
8
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$324,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$324,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Circle Pines
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centennial Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Golden Lake Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Centennial High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Centennial Area Learning Center | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Karner Blue Education Center | 4.8 / 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
- $98,952
- Median home value
- $324,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Circle Pines compares
Minnesota rank
#127 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$99k
118% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Circle Pines, Minnesota
Circle Pines, Minnesota is home to 8 schools, including 8 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, , and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Circle Pines 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 Circle Pines is Centennial Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Circle Pines is served by 2 school districts: NORTHEAST METRO 916, CENTENNIAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 7,602 students.
Circle Pines's community shows 37% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $98,952. The poverty rate in the area is 5.6%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 507 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 385 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 |
| 3 | 148 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 6.2 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,997 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 84 students · 7th–12th | 5.3 |
| 3 | 18 students · 12th–12th | — |
| 4 | 8 students · 12th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 102 students · Kindergarten–9th | 4.8 |
Schools in Circle Pines
Circle Pines, Minnesota · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$98,952
Median Home Value
$324,700
Median Rent
$1,553/mo
Population
28,975
College Educated
37%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Community Profile
Circle Pines has a median household income of $98,952. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $324,700, with a median rent of $1,553/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 3
- High
- 4
- 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 Circle Pines, Minnesota
How many schools are in Circle Pines, Minnesota?
Circle Pines has 8 schools, including 8 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Circle Pines, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Circle Pines 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 Circle Pines, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Circle Pines on MySchoolScout is Centennial Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Circle Pines, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Circle Pines on MySchoolScout is Centennial Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Circle Pines, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Circle Pines on MySchoolScout is Centennial High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Circle Pines, Minnesota?
Circle Pines is served by 2 school districts: Northeast Metro 916, Centennial Public School District.
What is the education level in Circle Pines, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 37% of adults in Circle Pines have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Circle Pines, Minnesota?
The median household income in Circle Pines is approximately $98,952 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Circle Pines, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Circle Pines is 15.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Circle Pines, 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.