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#1293 of 1,986 schools in MN

Pillager Middle School

Middle School · PILLAGER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

323 E 2ND ST S, Pillager, MN 56473

Enrollment

405

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

5.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pillager

#3 of 4

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#111 of 280

In district

#3 of 3

PILLAGER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Pillager Middle School

Pillager Middle School is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Pillager, Minnesota. Serving students from fifth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 405 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1, with 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking at #1479 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (27th percentile).

Academically, Pillager Middle School scores an average 5.3 out of 10, with 52% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 36% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, the school community focuses on fostering student development and supports a rural environment that values education. Pillager Middle School stands as an integral part of the Pillager community, providing a nurturing setting for its students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pillager Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,475

Pillager Middle School — Students at Pillager Middle School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
36%
ELA
51%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Pillager Middle School Compares

See how Pillager Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
35th percentile in MN
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

323 E 2ND ST S, Pillager, MN 56473

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pillager Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. NISSWA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Nisswa), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARRISON ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Brainerd), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOWELL ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Brainerd), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pillager, see our Pillager schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.5 mi
School Distance Rating
PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager 0.0 mi 8.3
Pillager Senior High School Pillager 0.0 mi 7.2
Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager 1.2 mi 4.5
BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. Baxter 8.9 mi 7.1
FORESTVIEW MIDDLE Baxter 9.2 mi 5.7
BAXTER ELEMENTARY Baxter 9.5 mi 5.4
LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baxter 10.8 mi 3.3
KNIGHT ELEMENTARY Randall 16.5 mi 6.5
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Brainerd 12.5 mi 5.3
LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER Brainerd 12.8 mi 6.5
NISSWA ELEMENTARY Nisswa 16.0 mi 9.2
BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH Brainerd 12.9 mi 5.4
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF BRAINERD Brainerd 13.1 mi
Discovery Woods Brainerd 13.2 mi 7.6
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brainerd 13.3 mi 5.3
HARRISON ELEMENTARY Brainerd 13.7 mi 9.0
LOWELL ELEMENTARY Brainerd 13.9 mi 8.5
ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER Brainerd 14.3 mi 4.3
MIDDLE LEVEL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Brainerd 14.3 mi
GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Brainerd 14.5 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56473 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,236

Median Home Value

$262,500

Median Rent

$1,008/mo

Population

3,452

College Educated

23.7%

Homeownership

87.9%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pillager Middle School has a median household income of $79,236. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $262,500, with a median rent of $1,008/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ANNANDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Annandale, MN 5.8
E-STEM Middle School Woodbury, MN 5.8
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Albert Lea, MN 5.8
PRAIRIE WIND MIDDLE Perham, MN 5.7
FOREST LAKE ELEMENTARY Forest Lake, MN 5.9
Global Arts Plus Upper Saint Paul, MN 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pillager Middle School

What grades does Pillager Middle School serve?

Pillager Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Pillager Middle School?

Pillager Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 405 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pillager Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pillager Middle School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pillager Middle School rank in MN?

Pillager Middle School is ranked #1293 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Pillager Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pillager Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pillager Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pillager Middle School has 36.3% math proficiency and 52.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pillager Middle School a charter school?

No, Pillager Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pillager Middle School a Title I school?

No, Pillager Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pillager Middle School?

43.7% of students at Pillager Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (495/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PILLAGER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,291
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,250
District Rank
#3 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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