For the 2024-25 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 6,400 students in Benton County, MN (there are 4 private schools, serving 350 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Benton County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Benton County, MN are Foley Elementary School, Rice Elementary School and Foley Intermediate Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Benton County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Benton County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Benton County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Foley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
743 Penn St
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7286
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7286
Grades: PK-3
| 569 students
Rank: #22.
Rice Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Ne 3rd Ave
Rice, MN 56367
(320) 393-2177
Rice, MN 56367
(320) 393-2177
Grades: PK-5
| 372 students
Rank: #33.
Foley Intermediate Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
840 Norman Ave N
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-6251
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-6251
Grades: 4-8
| 735 students
Rank: #44.
Mississippi Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1003 S 4th St
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-0122
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-0122
Grades: K-5
| 848 students
Rank: #55.
Pleasantview Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1009 N 6th Ave
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-0506
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-0506
Grades: PK-5
| 712 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Benton-stearns Education District
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
324 3rd Avenue South
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 252-8427
Grades: 5-12
| 19 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Benton-stearns Education Pioneers
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Grades: K-6
| 10 students
Rank: #88.
Sauk Rapids-rice Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1835 Osauka Rd Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4700
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4700
Grades: 9-12
| 1,394 students
Rank: #99.
Sauk Rapids-rice Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
901 1st St S
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 654-9073
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 654-9073
Grades: 6-8
| 1,045 students
Rank: #1010.
Foley Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
621 Penn St
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7246
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7246
Grades: 9-12
| 621 students
Rank: n/an/a
Alc - Foley
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
840 Norman Ave N
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 746-2196
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 746-2196
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Alc - Sauk Rapids
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
1833 Osauka Rd Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Benton Stearns Education District 1
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
324 3rd Ave South
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-8940
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-8940
Grades: 12
| 15 students
Rank: n/an/a
Benton-stearns Education - Asd
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
212 3rd Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 257-9989
Grades: K-12
| 8 students
Rank: n/an/a
Hillside Early Childhood Center
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
30 Fourth Ave S
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 255-8910
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 255-8910
Grades: PK
| 52 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sauk Rapids Ecfe
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
30 4th Ave S
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1101
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1101
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Sauk Rapids-rice Online School (srr
Magnet School
1833 Osauka Road Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1822
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 258-1822
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Benton County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Central Mn Area Learn Cntr - Foley (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
840 Norman Ave N
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 746-2196
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 746-2196
Grades: K-12
| 4 students
Central Mn T.s. Sauk Rapids (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1833 Osauka Road Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Central Mn Targeted Svcs. Foley (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
Box 297
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7175
Foley, MN 56329
(320) 968-7175
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Central Mn. Alc - Sauk Rapids (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1833 Osauka Rd Ne
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
(320) 253-4703
Grades: 1-12
| 4 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Benton County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Benton County, MN include Foley Elementary School, Rice Elementary School and Foley Intermediate Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Benton County?
17 public schools are located in Benton County.
What percentage of students in Benton County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Benton County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Benton County?
Benton County public schools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Benton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Benton County include: Mississippi Heights Elementary School vs. Pleasantview Elementary School, Pleasantview Elementary School vs. Mississippi Heights Elementary School, Foley Intermediate Elementary School vs. Sauk Rapids-rice Middle School
Recent Articles
Vouchers for Special Education: Are They a Good Idea?
The article examines the pros and cons of using school vouchers for special education students. It discusses how vouchers can provide more educational options for families but also raises concerns about accountability, funding for public schools, and the implementation of special education laws in private school settings.
What is the Connection Between Home Values and School Performance?
This article explores the relationship between school performance and home values in neighborhoods. It discusses studies showing correlations between school expenditures, ratings, and housing prices, highlighting how this connection affects families' choices and contributes to educational disparities between communities.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
