Best Schools in White Bear Lake, Minnesota
28 schools · 13 Elementary · 7 Middle · 5 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in White Bear Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in White Bear 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.
Otter Lake Elementary
Elementary · White Bear Lake School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Vadnais Heights Elementary
Elementary · White Bear Lake School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Matoska International
Elementary · White Bear Lake School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in White Bear Lake for 2026 are Otter Lake Elementary (9.3/10), Vadnais Heights Elementary (8.5/10), and Matoska International (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 17 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
28
24 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$378,250
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
28
24 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$378,250
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 7.9/10 despite 71% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.6 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 White Bear Lake schools.
Top-Rated Schools in White Bear Lake
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 17 rated schools; 28 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otter Lake Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Vadnais Heights Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Matoska International | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Willow Lane Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Central Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Lincoln Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 7 | 916 Mahtomedi Academy | 6.5 / 10 |
| 8 | White Bear North Campus Senior | 6.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Level Up Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 10 | South Campus Education Center | 6.4 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $105,283
- Median home value
- $378,250
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 49%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How White Bear Lake compares
Minnesota rank
#55 of 231
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Minnesota avg (6.3)
Median household income
$105k
125% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
22
White Bear Lake School District runs 63% of White Bear Lake's public schools
White Bear Lake touches 3 districts, but White Bear Lake School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
White Bear Lake School District accounts for 15 of 24 public schools (63%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 9.
Among 17 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 1.9 to 9.3 — the spread is inside White Bear Lake, not a citywide average.
4 of the 24 public schools are charters (17%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- White Bear Lake School District15 public · 63%
- Northeast Metro 9165 public · 21%
- Level Up Academy4 public · 17%
About Schools in White Bear Lake, Minnesota
White Bear Lake, Minnesota has 18 ranked public schools, giving parents a meaningful set of options to evaluate across this eastern Twin Cities suburb. The district spans elementary through high school, and performance varies enough that where a child lands within the system matters. Parents who map school boundaries before choosing a home address will have a clear advantage.
The city's average school score is 5.9 out of 10 — solidly middle of the range. Performance concentrates at the top: three schools, 17% of all ranked public schools here, score 7 or higher. That cluster is small but meaningful. It signals that strong academic options exist in White Bear Lake, but they are not distributed evenly across the city.
Otter Lake Elementary leads at 7.9 out of 10, the highest score among all 18 ranked schools. Normandy Park Education Center (7.4) and Lincoln Elementary (7.3) also clear the 7-plus mark, rounding out the top tier entirely at the elementary level. Birch Lake Elementary scores 6.9, sitting just below that threshold but still well above the city average. For families with high-school-age children, 916 Mahtomedi Academy scores 6.6 — the top-ranked high school in the data set, though the gap between it and the elementary leaders is notable.
The practical takeaway for parents: elementary options are where White Bear Lake's strongest academic performance concentrates. Families with younger children who have address flexibility should prioritize proximity to Otter Lake, Normandy Park, or Lincoln. Parents of middle and high school students should look closely at individual school data and weigh program offerings, extracurricular fit, and commute alongside raw scores. With 18 ranked schools spanning a range of performance levels, White Bear Lake rewards parents who research boundary lines early rather than treating the district as a single uniform system.
Elementary Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 457 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 397 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 598 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 4 | 267 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 5 | 198 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 7.5 |
| 6 | 475 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
| 7 | 141 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 |
| 8 | 246 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.7 |
| 9 | 387 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.5 |
| 10 | 18 students · Kindergarten–5th | — |
Show all 13 elementary schools in White Bear Lake
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 969 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 750 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 | ||
| 3 | 70 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 | ||
| 4 | 72 students · 6th–8th | 1.9 | ||
| 5 | 10 students · 6th–8th | — | ||
| 6 | 26 students · 5th–9th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 220 students · 7th–7th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 59 students · 5th–12th | 6.4 |
| 3 | 162 students · 10th–12th | 5.7 |
| 4 | 1,196 students · 11th–12th | 5.6 |
| 5 | 1 students · 6th–12th | — |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,322 students · 9th–10th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 114 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Liberty Classical AcademyPrivate 330 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake, Minnesota · 28 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$105,283
Median Home Value
$378,250
Median Rent
$1,629/mo
Population
55,879
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Community Profile
White Bear Lake has a median household income of $105,283. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $378,250, with a median rent of $1,629/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 5
- Other
- 3
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 White Bear Lake, Minnesota
How many schools are in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
White Bear Lake has 28 schools, including 24 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in White Bear Lake is 6.7 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 White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in White Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is Otter Lake Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in White Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is Otter Lake Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in White Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is Central Middle with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in White Bear Lake on MySchoolScout is 916 Mahtomedi Academy with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
White Bear Lake is served by 3 school districts: Level Up Academy, Northeast Metro 916, White Bear Lake School District.
What is the education level in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 49% of adults in White Bear Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
The median household income in White Bear Lake is approximately $105,283 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
Yes, White Bear Lake has 4 private schools alongside 24 public schools. The top-rated private school is Frassati Catholic Academy Est. 2014 with a score of 9.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in White Bear Lake, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in White Bear 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 White Bear 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.
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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.