Best Schools in Howard Lake, Minnesota
8 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Howard Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in Howard 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.
St James Lutheran School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Middle
Middle · Howard Lake-waverly-winsted. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Sec.
High · Howard Lake-waverly-winsted. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Howard Lake for 2026 are St James Lutheran School (6.0/10), Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Middle (5.2/10), and Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Sec. (4.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$287,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$287,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Howard Lake
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St James Lutheran School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Middle | 5.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Sec. | 4.9 / 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
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $100,054
- Median home value
- $287,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Howard Lake compares
Minnesota rank
#211 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$100k
119% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Howard Lake, Minnesota
Howard Lake, Minnesota is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Howard 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 Howard Lake is St James Lutheran School with a composite score of 6.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Howard Lake is served by 2 school districts: MEEKER AND WRIGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION, HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED. These districts collectively serve 1,499 students.
Howard Lake's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $100,054. The poverty rate in the area is 6.4%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
| 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 | St James Lutheran School
Private
90 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 399 students · 5th–8th | 5.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 399 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
| 2 | 14 students · 11th–12th | — |
| 3 | 16 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — |
| 2 | 6 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in Howard Lake
Howard Lake, Minnesota · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$100,054
Median Home Value
$287,100
Median Rent
$952/mo
Population
3,555
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Community Profile
Howard Lake has a median household income of $100,054. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,100, with a median rent of $952/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 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 Howard Lake, Minnesota
How many schools are in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
Howard Lake has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Howard Lake is 5.4 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 Howard Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Howard Lake on MySchoolScout is St James Lutheran School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Howard Lake on MySchoolScout is St James Lutheran School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Howard Lake on MySchoolScout is Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Middle with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best high school in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Howard Lake on MySchoolScout is Howard Lake-waverly-winsted Sec. with a composite score of 4.9/10.
How many school districts serve Howard Lake, Minnesota?
Howard Lake is served by 2 school districts: Meeker and Wright Special Education, Howard Lake-waverly-winsted.
What is the education level in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Howard Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
The median household income in Howard Lake is approximately $100,054 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
Yes, Howard Lake has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is St James Lutheran School with a score of 6.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Howard Lake, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Howard Lake is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Howard 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.
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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.