Brainerd Public School District
School District · Brainerd, Minnesota
Avg Rating
6.3
out of 10
Schools
12
6 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
6,134
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Avg Rating
6.3
out of 10
Schools
12
6 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
6,134
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
How this district compares
Minnesota rank
#197 of 389
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Minnesota avg
Per-pupil spending
$14,608
+$0 vs Minnesota median
District size
6,134 students
Much larger than Minnesota median
The short answer
Brainerd Public School District ranks #197 of 389 Minnesota districts by overall school rating. Brainerd Public School District's schools with real test data average 6.2/10 across 10 schools. Its top-rated schools are Harrison Elementary (8.6/10), Riverside Elementary (8.4/10), and Nisswa Elementary (7.6/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 8.6/10 despite 67% 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 Brainerd Public School District schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Brainerd Public School District
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (10 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrison Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Riverside Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Nisswa Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Forestview Middle | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Brainerd Senior High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Lowell Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Baxter Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Lincoln Education Center | 4.7 / 10 |
| 9 | ISD 181 Learning Center | 4.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Garfield Elementary | 3.8 / 10 |
See all 12 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Brainerd Public School District
Brainerd Public School District is a Brainerd, Minnesota school district serving 12 schools.The district educates 6,134 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1. District-level spending was $14,608 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 6.3/10, Brainerd Public School District demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Harrison Elementary, which has a composite score of 8.6/10.
In standardized testing, Brainerd Public School District students show an average math proficiency of 54.1% and ELA proficiency of 57.5%.
The district includes 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Brainerd Public School District, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Brainerd Public School District with test data.
Schools in Brainerd Public School District
12 schoolsElementary Schools6
Middle Schools2
High Schools2
District Details
- State
- Minnesota
- City
- Brainerd
- Total Enrollment
- 6,134
- Teachers (FTE)
- 432
- District spending per student
- $14,608NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 11.2%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Brainerd Public School District?
Brainerd Public School District has 12 schools in total — 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Brainerd Public School District?
The average composite rating for Brainerd Public School District is 6.3/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Brainerd Public School District?
Brainerd Public School District's district-level spending was $14,608 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Brainerd Public School District?
The average student-teacher ratio in Brainerd Public School District is 14.2:1.
What is the top-rated school in Brainerd Public School District?
Harrison Elementary is the highest-rated school in Brainerd Public School District with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What are the test scores in Brainerd Public School District?
Across schools in Brainerd Public School District with test data, the average math proficiency is 54.1% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 57.5%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Brainerd Public School District compare to other districts in Minnesota?
Brainerd Public School District has an average school rating of 6.3/10 across 12 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Minnesota by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.3/10
- Math Proficiency
- 54.1%
- ELA Proficiency
- 57.5%
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 rateOther School Districts in MN
Compare Brainerd Public School District with neighboring districts in the state.
- Saint Paul Public Schools (102)
- Minneapolis Public School District (98)
- Anoka-Hennepin School District (51)
- Intermediate School District 287 (50)
- Rochester Public School District (49)
- Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (40)
- Osseo Public School District (34)
- Elk River Public School District (31)
- South Washington County Schools (29)
- Robbinsdale Public School District (28)
- Duluth Public School District (27)
- Mounds View Public School District (27)
- Region 6 and 8-Sw/wc Service Coop (27)
- St. Cloud Public School District (27)
- Mankato Public School District (26)
- White Bear Lake School District (25)
- Bloomington Public School District (23)
- Eastern Carver County Public School (23)
- North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale (23)
- Wayzata Public School District (21)
- Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools (20)
- Lakeville Area Schools (20)
- Cambridge-Isanti Public School Dist (18)
- Centennial Public School District (18)
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.
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