Best Schools in Prior Lake, Minnesota
12 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Prior Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in Prior 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.
La Ola Del Lago at Grainwood
Elementary · Prior Lake-savage Area Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Jeffers Pond Elementary
Elementary · Prior Lake-savage Area Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Westwood Elementary
Elementary · Prior Lake-savage Area Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Prior Lake for 2026 are La Ola Del Lago at Grainwood (8.8/10), Jeffers Pond Elementary (8.0/10), and Westwood Elementary (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
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$450,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
12
9 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$450,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Prior Lake
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Ola Del Lago at Grainwood | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Jeffers Pond Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Westwood Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Prior Lake Christian Academy | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Prior Lake-savage Area Alc | 6.3 / 10 |
| 6 | St Paul's Lutheran School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Five Hawks Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Prior Lake-savage Middle School | 5.5 / 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
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $140,835
- Median home value
- $450,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 91%
44% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Prior Lake compares
Minnesota rank
#53 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$141k
168% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Prior Lake, Minnesota
Prior Lake, Minnesota is home to 12 schools, including 9 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Prior 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 Prior Lake is La Ola Del Lago at Grainwood with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Prior Lake is served by 1 school district: PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS. These districts collectively serve 8,777 students.
Prior Lake's community shows 50% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $140,835. The poverty rate in the area is 2.3%.
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 | 471 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 504 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 3 | 492 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 4 | 477 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.8 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Paul's Lutheran School
Private
85 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.9 | ||
| 2 | Prior Lake Montessori School
Private
1 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,996 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 93 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 6 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 3 | 45 students · 6th–12th | — |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 149 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.4 | ||
| 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 | Prior Lake Christian Academy
Private
103 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.0 | ||
Schools in Prior Lake
Prior Lake, Minnesota · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$140,835
Median Home Value
$450,100
Median Rent
$1,406/mo
Population
34,617
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
91%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Community Profile
Prior Lake has a median household income of $140,835. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $450,100, with a median rent of $1,406/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Prior Lake, Minnesota
How many schools are in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
Prior Lake has 12 schools, including 9 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Prior Lake is 6.6 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 Prior Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Prior Lake on MySchoolScout is La Ola Del Lago at Grainwood with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Prior Lake on MySchoolScout is La Ola Del Lago at Grainwood with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Prior Lake on MySchoolScout is Prior Lake-savage Middle School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Prior Lake on MySchoolScout is Prior Lake-savage Area Alc with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Prior Lake, Minnesota?
Prior Lake is served by 1 school district: Prior Lake-savage Area Schools.
What is the education level in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in Prior Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
The median household income in Prior Lake is approximately $140,835 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
Yes, Prior Lake has 3 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Prior Lake Christian Academy with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Prior Lake, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Prior Lake is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Prior 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.