Best Schools in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
11 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Detroit Lakes?
Use this page to compare every school in Detroit Lakes 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.
Detroit Lakes Senior High
High · Detroit Lakes Public School Dist.. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Holy Rosary
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center
High · Detroit Lakes Public School Dist.. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Detroit Lakes for 2026 are Detroit Lakes Senior High (7.5/10), Holy Rosary (6.9/10), and Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
11
8 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$286,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
11
8 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$286,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Detroit Lakes
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit Lakes Senior High | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Holy Rosary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Rossman Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Roosevelt Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Detroit Lakes Middle | 5.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Faith Christian School | 2.7 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $68,980
- Median home value
- $286,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Detroit Lakes compares
Minnesota rank
#194 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$69k
82% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota is home to 11 schools, including 8 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes is Detroit Lakes Senior High with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Detroit Lakes is served by 1 school district: DETROIT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.. These districts collectively serve 2,797 students.
Detroit Lakes's community shows 32% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $68,980. The poverty rate in the area is 9.4%.
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 | 592 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 583 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 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 | Holy Rosary
Private
128 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | Faith Christian School
Private
45 students · Pre-K–8th | 2.7 | ||
| 3 | Adventist Christian School
Private
16 students · Kindergarten–7th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 615 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 851 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 56 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 3 | 14 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 4 | 11 students · 12th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.9 |
Schools in Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$68,980
Median Home Value
$286,900
Median Rent
$942/mo
Population
18,239
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Community Profile
Detroit Lakes has a median household income of $68,980. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,900, with a median rent of $942/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
- 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 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
How many schools are in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
Detroit Lakes has 11 schools, including 8 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Detroit Lakes is 5.5 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 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Detroit Lakes on MySchoolScout is Detroit Lakes Senior High with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Detroit Lakes on MySchoolScout is Holy Rosary with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Detroit Lakes on MySchoolScout is Detroit Lakes Middle with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best high school in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Detroit Lakes on MySchoolScout is Detroit Lakes Senior High with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
Detroit Lakes is served by 1 school district: Detroit Lakes Public School Dist..
What is the education level in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 32% of adults in Detroit Lakes have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
The median household income in Detroit Lakes is approximately $68,980 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
Yes, Detroit Lakes has 3 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Holy Rosary with a score of 6.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Detroit Lakes is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Detroit Lakes, 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.