Best Schools in Forest Lake, Minnesota
15 schools · 6 Elementary · 3 Middle · 5 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Forest Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in Forest Lake 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.
North Lakes Academy Upper School
High · North Lakes Academy. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lila Upper School
High · Lakes International Language Academ. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Columbus Elementary
Elementary · Forest Lake Public School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Forest Lake for 2026 are North Lakes Academy Upper School (7.8/10), Lila Upper School (7.1/10), and Columbus Elementary (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 13 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
15
14 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$385,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
15
14 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$385,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 7.8/10 despite 40% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Forest Lake schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Forest Lake
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (13 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Lakes Academy Upper School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Lila Upper School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Columbus Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | North Lakes Academy Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Forest Lake Area High School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Lila Lower School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 7 | St Peter Elementary School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Forest Lake Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Forest View Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Forest Lake Area Middle School | 5.2 / 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
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $95,993
- Median home value
- $385,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Forest Lake compares
Minnesota rank
#186 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$96k
114% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
15
About Schools in Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake, Minnesota is home to 15 schools, including 14 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake is North Lakes Academy Upper School with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Forest Lake is served by 3 school districts: NORTH LAKES ACADEMY, Lakes International Language Academ, FOREST LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 7,605 students.
Forest Lake's community shows 36% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $95,993. The poverty rate in the area is 6.0%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 426 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 266 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 597 students · 1st–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 333 students · Pre-K–3rd | 5.3 | ||
| 5 | 118 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 4.4 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Peter Elementary SchoolPrivate 276 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315 students · 4th–6th | 5.6 |
| 2 | 844 students · 7th–8th | 5.2 |
| 3 | 148 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 141 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 572 students · 6th–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 1,823 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 4 | 198 students · 6th–12th | 4.9 |
| 5 | 46 students · 10th–12th | 4.0 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 124 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.2 |
Schools in Forest Lake
Forest Lake, Minnesota · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$95,993
Median Home Value
$385,800
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
Population
25,759
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
6.0%
Community Profile
Forest Lake has a median household income of $95,993. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $385,800, with a median rent of $1,355/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 5
- 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 Forest Lake, Minnesota
How many schools are in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
Forest Lake has 15 schools, including 14 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Forest Lake is 5.6 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 Forest Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Forest Lake on MySchoolScout is North Lakes Academy Upper School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Forest Lake on MySchoolScout is Columbus Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Forest Lake on MySchoolScout is Forest Lake Elementary with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Forest Lake on MySchoolScout is North Lakes Academy Upper School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Forest Lake, Minnesota?
Forest Lake is served by 3 school districts: North Lakes Academy, Lakes International Language Academ, Forest Lake Public School District.
What is the education level in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Forest Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
The median household income in Forest Lake is approximately $95,993 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
Yes, Forest Lake has 1 private school alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Peter Elementary School with a score of 5.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Forest Lake is 18.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Forest Lake, 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.