Best Schools in Fergus Falls, Minnesota
16 schools · 7 Elementary · 3 Middle · 3 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Fergus Falls?
Use this page to compare every school in Fergus Falls 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.
Kennedy High School
High · Fergus Falls Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cleveland Elementary
Elementary · Fergus Falls Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kennedy Middle School
Middle · Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls for 2026 are Kennedy High School (8.3/10), Cleveland Elementary (7.7/10), and Kennedy Middle School (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
16
14 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$223,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
16
14 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$223,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Fergus Falls
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 16). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy High School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Cleveland Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Kennedy Middle School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Our Lady of Victory Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Iq Academy 9-12 | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Fergus Falls Area Learning Center | 5.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Hillcrest Lutheran Academy | 4.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Iq Academy 6-8 | 4.0 / 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
- $62,279
- Median home value
- $223,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
27% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fergus Falls compares
Minnesota rank
#136 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
74% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Fergus Falls is a mid-size city in western Minnesota with 9 ranked public schools spanning elementary through high school. Parents researching the area will find options at every grade level, with school quality spanning a meaningful range — from a standout elementary to schools clustered near the city average.
The city's average school score is 6.1 out of 10, and only 2 of 9 schools (22%) clear the 7-point mark. That concentration near the middle tells parents that strong options exist but aren't uniform across grade levels. The ceiling is high: Cleveland Elementary scores 8.3 — the top-ranked school in Fergus Falls and a result that sits well above the city norm. Kennedy High School follows at 7.3, giving the city a credible anchor at both ends of the K–12 pipeline.
Outside the top two, performance settles near the city average. McKinley Elementary scores 6.6, Kennedy Middle School 6.3, and iQ Academy 9-12 scores 6.2. All three land within a tenth of the 6.1 city average — a pattern that signals consistent but unremarkable results for students outside the top-performing schools. iQ Academy offers high schoolers an alternative pathway alongside Kennedy High, though both score within a point of each other.
For parents making a decision in Fergus Falls, the practical picture is clear: elementary-age children have access to a standout school in Cleveland Elementary, and Kennedy High School holds up well at the secondary level. The middle school years are the soft spot, with Kennedy Middle School sitting squarely at the city average. Families with young children should prioritize enrollment zone research to maximize their chances at Cleveland. Parents planning ahead for high school will find Kennedy High as the stronger of two options. With only 22% of schools scoring 7 or above, grade-level transitions are worth mapping early in the decision process.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 352 students · 2nd–4th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 225 students · Pre-K–1st | 6.5 | ||
| 3 | 293 students · 1st–2nd | 5.5 | ||
| 4 | 122 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 5 | 8 students · Pre-K–4th | — | ||
| 6 | 7 students · Kindergarten–6th | — | ||
| 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 | 107 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.8 | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 756 students · 5th–8th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 118 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
| 3 | 6 students · 5th–8th | — |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 691 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 255 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 3 | 89 students · 5th–12th | 5.1 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 67 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| 2 | 13 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 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 | Hillcrest Lutheran Academy
Private
280 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.6 | ||
Schools in Fergus Falls
Fergus Falls, Minnesota · 16 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,279
Median Home Value
$223,000
Median Rent
$840/mo
Population
19,650
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Community Profile
Fergus Falls has a median household income of $62,279. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,000, with a median rent of $840/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 3
- Other
- 3
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 Fergus Falls, Minnesota
How many schools are in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
Fergus Falls has 16 schools, including 14 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Fergus Falls on MySchoolScout is Kennedy High School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fergus Falls on MySchoolScout is Cleveland Elementary with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Fergus Falls on MySchoolScout is Kennedy Middle School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best high school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Fergus Falls on MySchoolScout is Kennedy High School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
Fergus Falls is served by 3 school districts: Fergus Falls Area Sp. Ed. Coop., Region 4-lakes Country Service Coop, Fergus Falls Public School District.
What is the education level in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Fergus Falls have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
The median household income in Fergus Falls is approximately $62,279 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
Yes, Fergus Falls has 2 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Lady of Victory Elementary School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fergus Falls, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fergus Falls is 12.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fergus Falls, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.