5.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Pine River, Minnesota

3 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 3

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 5.8/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.8/10
Median household income: $55,741
Median home value: $220,500
Bachelor's degree or higher: 22%
Avg commute: 24 min
Owner-occupied homes: 79%

How Pine River compares

Minnesota rank

#170 of 229

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.5

below Minnesota avg (6.3)

Median household income

$56k

66% of Minnesota median

Schools in this city

About Schools in Pine River, Minnesota

Pine River, Minnesota is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 2 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Pine River show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Pine River is Pine River-backus Alp with a composite score of 6.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Pine River is served by 1 school district: PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 879 students.

Pine River's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $55,741. The poverty rate in the area is 11.6%.

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 (3) Elementary (1) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (3) Public (3)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (3) Academics (3) Growth (3) Resources (3)

Filter by ZIP: 56474 (3)

Elementary Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	PINE RIVER-BACKUS ELEMENTARY 477 students · Pre-K–6th	477	Pre-K–6th	5.7

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Pine River-Backus ALP 50 students · 9th–12th	50	9th–12th	6.0
2	PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL 352 students · 7th–12th	352	7th–12th	5.8

Schools in Pine River

Pine River, Minnesota · 3 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$55,741

Median Home Value

$220,500

Median Rent

$870/mo

Population

4,471

College Educated

22%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Community Profile

Pine River has a median household income of $55,741. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,500, with a median rent of $870/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Minnesota
Total Schools: 3
Elementary: 1
High: 2
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.8/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Pine River schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Pine River 📊 Niche Pine River Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 schools · 879 students

Nearby Cities

Backus (1 school)

8 mi

Pequot Lakes (3 schools)

10 mi

Nisswa (1 school)

15 mi

Crosslake (3 schools)

Brainerd (12 schools)

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 Pine River, Minnesota

How many schools are in Pine River, Minnesota?

Pine River has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Pine River, Minnesota?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pine River is 5.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Pine River, Minnesota?

The top-ranked school in Pine River on MySchoolScout is Pine River-backus Alp with a composite score of 6.0/10.

What is the best elementary school in Pine River, Minnesota?

The top-ranked elementary school in Pine River on MySchoolScout is Pine River-backus Elementary with a composite score of 5.7/10.

What is the best high school in Pine River, Minnesota?

The top-ranked high school in Pine River on MySchoolScout is Pine River-backus Alp with a composite score of 6.0/10.

How many school districts serve Pine River, Minnesota?

Pine River is served by 1 school district: Pine River-backus School District.

What is the education level in Pine River, Minnesota?

According to Census data, 22% of adults in Pine River have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Pine River, Minnesota?

The median household income in Pine River is approximately $55,741 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Pine River, Minnesota?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pine River is 16.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pine River, 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.