Best Schools in Thief River Falls, Minnesota
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Thief River Falls?
Use this page to compare every school in Thief River Falls 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 Bernard's School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lincoln Senior High
High · Thief River Falls School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Challenger Elementary
Elementary · Thief River Falls School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Thief River Falls for 2026 are St Bernard's School (6.7/10), Lincoln Senior High (6.1/10), and Challenger Elementary (5.3/10), 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
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$189,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$189,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Thief River Falls
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Bernard's School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Lincoln Senior High | 6.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Challenger Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Franklin Middle | 5.1 / 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
- $73,243
- Median home value
- $189,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 13 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Thief River Falls compares
Minnesota rank
#168 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$73k
87% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Thief River Falls, Minnesota is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Thief River Falls 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 Thief River Falls is St Bernard's School with a composite score of 6.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Thief River Falls is served by 1 school district: THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 1,811 students.
Thief River Falls's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,243. The poverty rate in the area is 9.6%.
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.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 781 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 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 Bernard's School
Private
78 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | St John Lutheran School
Private
25 students · Pre-K–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 436 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 565 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 29 students · 9th–12th | — |
Schools in Thief River Falls
Thief River Falls, Minnesota · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$73,243
Median Home Value
$189,700
Median Rent
$897/mo
Population
12,814
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
13 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Community Profile
Thief River Falls has a median household income of $73,243. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,700, with a median rent of $897/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 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 Thief River Falls, Minnesota
How many schools are in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
Thief River Falls has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Thief River Falls 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 Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Thief River Falls on MySchoolScout is St Bernard's School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Thief River Falls on MySchoolScout is St Bernard's School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Thief River Falls on MySchoolScout is Franklin Middle with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Thief River Falls on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Senior High with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
Thief River Falls is served by 1 school district: Thief River Falls School District.
What is the education level in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Thief River Falls have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
The median household income in Thief River Falls is approximately $73,243 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
Yes, Thief River Falls has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Bernard's School with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Thief River Falls, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Thief River Falls is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Thief River Falls, 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.