Best Schools in Saint Paul, Minnesota
169 schools · 86 Elementary · 19 Middle · 40 High · 24 Other
Choosing a school in Saint Paul?
Use this page to compare every school in Saint Paul 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.
Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy
Elementary · Saint Paul Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Cornerstone Montessori Elementary
Elementary · Cornerstone Montessori Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
New Century School
Elementary · New Century School. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Saint Paul for 2026 are Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy (9.2/10), Cornerstone Montessori Elementary (8.8/10), and New Century School (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
169
146 public · 23 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$296,406
home value · ACS
Districts
39
serving the city
Schools
169
146 public · 23 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$296,406
home value · ACS
Districts
39
serving the city
Rates 8.8/10 despite 97% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.5 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 Saint Paul schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Saint Paul
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 169). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Cornerstone Montessori Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | New Century School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Maternity of Mary - St Andrew School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Prodeo Academy St. Paul Primary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Nova Classical Academy Lower School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Horace Mann School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Mounds Park Academy | 8.4 / 10 |
| 9 | Highland Park Senior High | 8.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Randolph Heights Elementary | 8.3 / 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
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $76,197
- Median home value
- $296,406
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 44%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
28% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Saint Paul compares
Minnesota rank
#164 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$76k
91% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
138
Education Snapshot
Saint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul's school landscape comprises 169 schools across 39 districts, enrolling roughly 55,117 students. The level mix skews toward elementary: 86 elementary schools compared to 40 high schools and 19 middle schools, with 24 combined or other schools filling the remainder. Charter schools account for 63 of those 169 buildings — more than one in three — reflecting a developed school-choice infrastructure across the city. On the MySchoolScout composite, Saint Paul averages 5.8/10 across 138 scored schools, below the Minnesota state average of 6.2/10. The city's median household income of $75,684 runs 14% below the state median of $88,477, a resource gap that broadly aligns with the below-state rating differential. On educational attainment, 45% of Saint Paul adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. With 39 separate districts operating across the city, school ratings and program offerings vary sharply by address.
About Schools in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul's public school system spans 125 ranked schools, giving parents a wide field to evaluate. The citywide average sits at 6.0 out of 10 — a useful baseline, but the distribution matters more: 40 schools, or 32% of the total, score 7 or above, meaning nearly one in three options clears a meaningful performance threshold. That's a real pool to work with for families willing to look beyond their nearest attendance zone.
At the top, Cornerstone Montessori Elementary leads the city with an 8.8 rating, sharing that mark with Horace Mann School. Both are elementary-level standouts. Groveland Park Elementary sits just behind at 8.7, making the elementary tier Saint Paul's strongest performance band overall. Families with younger children have the most concentrated set of high-rated options. For middle school, Laura Jeffrey Academy Charter scores 8.6 — the city's top-rated middle school and a strong choice for parents thinking ahead to the transition years. Prodeo Academy St. Paul Primary rounds out the top five at 8.6, adding another elementary option to a competitive upper tier.
The charter sector plays a visible role here. Laura Jeffrey Academy and Prodeo Academy are both charter schools appearing in the top five, which signals that Saint Paul's highest-performing options aren't limited to traditional district assignments. Parents open to charter enrollment have access to schools that compete directly with the city's best district-run buildings.
Practically, Saint Paul rewards active research. The gap between a 6.0 average and an 8.8 top performer is significant, and school quality varies by neighborhood. The 32% of schools scoring 7-plus are distributed across the city rather than concentrated in one area, so a targeted search by grade level and location will surface options that a zip-code-only search would miss. Start with the top-rated schools by grade band, check enrollment and lottery timelines for charters, and use Saint Paul's relatively large ranked pool — 125 schools — as an advantage rather than an obstacle.
Elementary Schools
86 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 417 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 138 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 356 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
| 4 | 108 students · Pre-K–1st | 8.5 |
| 5 | 483 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 6 | 418 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 7 | 440 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 8 | 728 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.2 |
| 9 | 441 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.2 |
| 10 | 185 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.7 |
Show all 86 elementary schools in Saint Paul
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
19 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 113 students · 5th–8th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 118 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 90 students · 5th–6th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 773 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
| 5 | 141 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 6 | 54 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 7 | 682 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 8 | 72 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 9 | 588 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 10 | 441 students · 5th–8th | 5.2 |
High Schools
40 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,456 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 401 students · 7th–12th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 535 students · 6th–12th | 8.1 |
| 4 | 102 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 5 | 37 students · 5th–12th | 7.6 |
| 6 | 491 students · 6th–12th | 7.6 |
| 7 | 198 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 8 | 247 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 9 | 811 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 10 | 176 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Show all 40 high schools in Saint Paul
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
24 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 141 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.7 |
| 3 | 112 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.5 |
| 4 | 322 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.3 |
| 5 | 96 students · 9th–11th | 4.2 |
| 6 | 230 students · 6th–11th | — |
| 7 | 7 students · Pre-K–12th | — |
| 8 | 7 students · 1st–12th | — |
| 9 | 17 students · 2nd–12th | — |
| 10 | 5 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — |
Show all 24 other schools in Saint Paul
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota · 169 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 18 ZIP codes
Median Income
$76,197
Median Home Value
$296,406
Median Rent
$1,321/mo
Population
529,424
College Educated
44%
Homeownership
55%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Community Profile
Saint Paul has a median household income of $76,197. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,406, with a median rent of $1,321/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 86
- Middle
- 19
- High
- 40
- Other
- 24
Resources
School Districts (39)
METRO DEAF SCHOOL
1 school · 141 students
COMMUNITY OF PEACE ACADEMY
3 schools · 869 students
Minnesota Transitions Charter Sch
9 schools · 4,943 students
ACHIEVE LANGUAGE ACADEMY
1 school · 464 students
HIGHER GROUND ACADEMY
3 schools · 1,106 students
ST. PAUL CITY SCHOOL
3 schools · 590 students
Jennings Community School
1 school · 47 students
LIFE PREP
1 school · 148 students
FACE TO FACE ACADEMY
2 schools · 85 students
HIGH SCHOOL FOR RECORDING ARTS
1 school · 214 students
ACADEMIA CESAR CHAVEZ CHARTER SCH.
1 school · 511 students
AVALON SCHOOL
3 schools · 269 students
HOPE COMMUNITY ACADEMY
3 schools · 779 students
Twin Cities Academy
1 school · 523 students
MINNESOTA ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL
1 school · 247 students
Twin Cities German Immersion Chtr
1 school · 587 students
Midway Star Academy
1 school · 421 students
LAURA JEFFREY ACADEMY CHARTER
1 school · 113 students
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
6 schools · 1,497 students
Rise Academy
2 schools · 164 students
Nova Classical Academy
2 schools · 1,018 students
HMONG COLLEGE PREP ACADEMY
3 schools · 2,508 students
GREAT RIVER SCHOOL
2 schools · 786 students
ST PAUL CONSERVATORY PERFORMING ART
1 school · 365 students
Urban Academy
1 school · 441 students
STEP Academy
4 schools · 913 students
CORNERSTONE MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY
1 school · 138 students
Upper Mississippi Academy
2 schools · 156 students
Prodeo Academy
6 schools · 999 students
Sejong Academy of Minnesota
2 schools · 362 students
Minnesota Math and Science Academy
2 schools · 451 students
Career Pathways
1 school · 111 students
New Century School
4 schools · 753 students
The Journey School
2 schools · 139 students
Minnesota Wildflower Montessori Sch
3 schools · 33 students
Quantum STEAM Academy Charter
2 schools · 188 students
St. Paul School of Northern Lights
2 schools · 207 students
City Academy
2 schools · 122 students
Saint Paul Public Schools
102 schools · 32,145 students
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 Saint Paul, Minnesota
How many schools are in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
Saint Paul has 169 schools, including 146 public and 23 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Saint Paul is 5.8 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 Saint Paul, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Saint Paul on MySchoolScout is Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Saint Paul on MySchoolScout is Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Saint Paul on MySchoolScout is Laura Jeffrey Academy Charter with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Saint Paul on MySchoolScout is Highland Park Senior High with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Saint Paul, Minnesota?
Saint Paul is served by 39 school districts: Metro Deaf School, Community of Peace Academy, Minnesota Transitions Charter Sch, Achieve Language Academy, Higher Ground Academy, St. Paul City School, Jennings Community School, Life Prep, Face to Face Academy, High School for Recording Arts, Academia Cesar Chavez Charter Sch., Avalon School, Hope Community Academy, Twin Cities Academy, Minnesota Online High School, Twin Cities German Immersion Chtr, Midway Star Academy, Laura Jeffrey Academy Charter, Community School of Excellence, Rise Academy, Nova Classical Academy, Hmong College Prep Academy, Great River School, St Paul Conservatory Performing Art, Urban Academy, Step Academy, Cornerstone Montessori Elementary, Upper Mississippi Academy, Prodeo Academy, Sejong Academy of Minnesota, Minnesota Math and Science Academy, Career Pathways, New Century School, The Journey School, Minnesota Wildflower Montessori Sch, Quantum Steam Academy Charter, St. Paul School of Northern Lights, City Academy, Saint Paul Public Schools.
What is the education level in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 44% of adults in Saint Paul have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
The median household income in Saint Paul is approximately $76,197 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
Yes, Saint Paul has 23 private schools alongside 146 public schools. The top-rated private school is Maternity of Mary - St Andrew School with a score of 8.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Saint Paul is 13.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Saint Paul, 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.