Best Schools in Finlayson, Minnesota
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 2 High
Choosing a school in Finlayson?
Use this page to compare every school in Finlayson 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.
Finlayson Elementary
Elementary · Hinckley-finlayson School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
East Central Elementary
Elementary · East Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Crossroads Area Learning Center
High · East Central 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 Finlayson for 2026 are Finlayson Elementary (8.0/10), East Central Elementary (7.9/10), and Crossroads Area Learning Center (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$233,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$233,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Finlayson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finlayson Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | East Central Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Crossroads Area Learning Center | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | East Central Senior Secondary | 4.7 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $62,125
- Median home value
- $233,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 35 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 92%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Finlayson compares
Minnesota rank
#71 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
74% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Finlayson, Minnesota
Finlayson, Minnesota is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Finlayson 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 Finlayson is Finlayson Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Finlayson is served by 2 school districts: EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 1,711 students.
Finlayson's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,125. The poverty rate in the area is 11.0%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.0 |
| 2 | 382 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 students · 7th–12th | 5.3 |
| 2 | 345 students · 7th–12th | 4.7 |
Schools in Finlayson
Finlayson, Minnesota · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,125
Median Home Value
$233,500
Median Rent
$968/mo
Population
1,802
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
92%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Community Profile
Finlayson has a median household income of $62,125. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,500, with a median rent of $968/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 2
- High
- 2
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 Finlayson, Minnesota
How many schools are in Finlayson, Minnesota?
Finlayson has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Finlayson, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Finlayson is 6.5 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 Finlayson, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Finlayson on MySchoolScout is Finlayson Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Finlayson, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Finlayson on MySchoolScout is Finlayson Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best high school in Finlayson, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Finlayson on MySchoolScout is Crossroads Area Learning Center with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Finlayson, Minnesota?
Finlayson is served by 2 school districts: East Central School District, Hinckley-finlayson School District.
What is the education level in Finlayson, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Finlayson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Finlayson, Minnesota?
The median household income in Finlayson is approximately $62,125 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Finlayson, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Finlayson is 15.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Finlayson, 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.