Best Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
11 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Sauk Rapids?
Use this page to compare every school in Sauk Rapids 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.
Mississippi Heights Elementary
Elementary · Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Pleasantview Elementary
Elementary · Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sauk Rapids-Rice Senior High
High · Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Sauk Rapids for 2026 are Mississippi Heights Elementary (8.2/10), Pleasantview Elementary (5.7/10), and Sauk Rapids-Rice Senior High (5.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
11
10 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$251,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
11
10 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$251,500
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Sauk Rapids
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 11 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi Heights Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Pleasantview Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Sauk Rapids-Rice Senior High | 5.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School | 5.0 / 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
- $71,964
- Median home value
- $251,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Sauk Rapids compares
Minnesota rank
#190 of 231
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Minnesota avg (6.3)
Median household income
$72k
86% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
6
Sauk Rapids's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Sauk Rapids. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools (5), Benton-Stearns Education District (4), St. Cloud Public School District (1).
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.0 to 8.2 — the spread is inside Sauk Rapids, not a citywide average.
- Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools5 public · 50%
- Benton-Stearns Education District4 public · 40%
- St. Cloud Public School District1 public · 10%
About Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
Sauk Rapids, Minnesota is home to 11 schools, including 10 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Sauk Rapids show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Sauk Rapids is Mississippi Heights Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Sauk Rapids is served by 3 school districts: Benton-Stearns Education District, SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 14,058 students.
Sauk Rapids's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,964. The poverty rate in the area is 6.8%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 817 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 722 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 3 | 11 students · Kindergarten–6th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 1 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,067 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,317 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
| 2 | 66 students · 7th–12th | 4.9 |
| 3 | 19 students · 5th–12th | — |
| 4 | 16 students · 12th–12th | — |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.2 |
| 2 | 12 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in Sauk Rapids
Sauk Rapids, Minnesota · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$71,964
Median Home Value
$251,500
Median Rent
$972/mo
Population
17,300
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Community Profile
Sauk Rapids has a median household income of $71,964. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,500, with a median rent of $972/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
- Other
- 2
Resources
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 Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
How many schools are in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
Sauk Rapids has 11 schools, including 10 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Sauk Rapids 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 Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Sauk Rapids on MySchoolScout is Mississippi Heights Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Sauk Rapids on MySchoolScout is Mississippi Heights Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Sauk Rapids on MySchoolScout is Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best high school in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Sauk Rapids on MySchoolScout is Sauk Rapids-Rice Senior High with a composite score of 5.5/10.
How many school districts serve Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
Sauk Rapids is served by 3 school districts: Benton-Stearns Education District, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, St. Cloud Public School District.
What is the education level in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Sauk Rapids have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
The median household income in Sauk Rapids is approximately $71,964 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
Yes, Sauk Rapids has 1 private school alongside 10 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Sauk Rapids is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Sauk Rapids, 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.