5.7 avg / 10

Best Schools in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

11 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 8

Private: 3

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 5.7/10

Estimated Scores: 38%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.7/10
Median household income: $68,980
Median home value: $286,900
Bachelor's degree or higher: 32%
Avg commute: 17 min
Owner-occupied homes: 72%

How Detroit Lakes compares

Minnesota rank

#196 of 229

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.6

below Minnesota avg (6.3)

Median household income

$69k

82% of Minnesota median

Schools in this city

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 5.7 out of 10, schools in Detroit Lakes show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Detroit Lakes is Rossman Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (11) Elementary (5) Middle (1) High (4)

Filter by Type: All Types (11) Public (8) Private (3)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (11) Academics (11) Growth (5) Resources (6)

Filter by ZIP: 56501 (11)

Elementary Schools

5 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	ROSSMAN ELEMENTARY 592 students · Pre-K–5th	592	Pre-K–5th	7.1
2	ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY 583 students · Pre-K–5th	583	Pre-K–5th	6.5
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	HOLY ROSARY Private 128 students · Pre-K–8th	128	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated
2	FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 45 students · Pre-K–8th	45	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated
3	ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 16 students · Kindergarten–7th	16	Kindergarten–7th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	DETROIT LAKES MIDDLE 615 students · 6th–8th	615	6th–8th	5.4

High Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	DETROIT LAKES AREA LEARNING CENTER 56 students · 9th–12th	56	9th–12th	6.1
2	DETROIT LAKES SENIOR HIGH 851 students · 9th–12th	851	9th–12th	5.2
3	E-Laker Online School 14 students · 9th–12th	14	9th–12th	—
4	Laker Transitions 11 students · 12th–12th	11	12th–12th	—

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	LINCOLN EARLY CHILDHOOD ED. CENTER 75 students · Pre-K–Pre-K	75	Pre-K–Pre-K	5.5

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.

Quick Facts

State: Minnesota
Total Schools: 11
Elementary: 5
Middle: 1
High: 4
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.7/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Detroit Lakes schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Detroit Lakes 📊 Niche Detroit Lakes Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

DETROIT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.

12 schools · 2,797 students

Nearby Cities

White Earth (1 school)

Pelican Rapids (2 schools)

Naytahwaush (1 school)

32 mi

Mahnomen (4 schools)

35 mi

New York Mills (2 schools)

30 mi

Rothsay (2 schools)

31 mi

Other Major Cities in Minnesota

Top metros statewide by school count.

Saint Paul 169 schools Minneapolis 165 schools Rochester 62 schools Duluth 40 schools Shakopee 31 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 5.7 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?

The top-ranked school in Detroit Lakes on MySchoolScout is Rossman Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10.

What is the best elementary school in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?

The top-ranked elementary school in Detroit Lakes on MySchoolScout is Rossman Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10.

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 5.4/10.

What is the best high school in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota?

The top-ranked high school in Detroit Lakes on MySchoolScout is Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center with a composite score of 6.1/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.