Brainerd Public School District

804 Oak St
Brainerd, MN 56401-3755
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Brainerd Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:

Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 6,134 students in Brainerd Public School District. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota.
Public Schools in Brainerd Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
13 Schools
2,732 Schools
# Students
6,134 Students
870,790 Students
# Teachers
433 Teachers
57,779 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

District Rank

Brainerd Public School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 522 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 80% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MN)
#108 out of 527 school districts
(Top 30%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Brainerd Public   School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
50%
45%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Brainerd Public   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Minnesota by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
55%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Brainerd Public   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Minnesota by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
54%
41%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Brainerd Public   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Minnesota by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
87%
84%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Brainerd Public   School District and public school graduation rate of Minnesota by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.21
0.59
# American Indian Students
87 Students
15,699 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
2%
# Asian Students
30 Students
61,819 Students
% Asian Students
1%
7%
# Hispanic Students
166 Students
99,588 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
12%
# Black Students
65 Students
102,736 Students
% Black Students
1%
12%
# White Students
5,456 Students
534,612 Students
% White Students
89%
61%
# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
1,007 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
327 Students
55,329 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
250
24,648
# Students in K Grade:
393
59,654
# Students in 1st Grade:
426
61,859
# Students in 2nd Grade:
457
63,560
# Students in 3rd Grade:
396
61,751
# Students in 4th Grade:
403
63,575
# Students in 5th Grade:
408
63,290
# Students in 6th Grade:
426
63,180
# Students in 7th Grade:
433
63,243
# Students in 8th Grade:
473
64,723
# Students in 9th Grade:
508
67,716
# Students in 10th Grade:
508
69,634
# Students in 11th Grade:
484
69,942
# Students in 12th Grade:
569
74,015
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,222 is higher than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $27,332 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (MN)
Total Revenue
$112 MM
$15,547 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Brainerd Public   School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Minnesota by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$168 MM
$16,179 MM
This chart displays total spending of Brainerd Public   School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Minnesota by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$18,222
$17,854
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Brainerd Public   School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Minnesota by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$27,332
$18,580
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Brainerd Public   School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Minnesota by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Brainerd Public School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
704 3rd Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6550
Grades: K-4
| 369 students
Rank: #22.
Nisswa Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5533 Lakers Lane
Nisswa, MN 56468
(218) 961-6860
Grades: PK-4
| 255 students
Rank: #33.
Baxter Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
12191 Jasperwood Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6400
Grades: PK-4
| 534 students
Rank: #44.
Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1515 Oak St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6500
Grades: K-4
| 224 students
Rank: #55.
Forestview Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
12149 Knollwood Dr
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-6000
Grades: 5-8
| 1,709 students
Rank: #66.
Brainerd Senior High School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
702 S 5th St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,833 students
Rank: #77.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1120 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6450
Grades: K-4
| 278 students
Rank: #88.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
220 3rd St Nw
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6800
Grades: PK-4
| 461 students
Rank: #99.
Middle Level Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Grades: 5-8
| 15 students
Rank: #1010.
Lincoln Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Quince St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6600
Grades: 2-12
| 98 students
Rank: #1111.
Isd 181 Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Grades: 8-12
| 159 students
Rank: n/an/a
Brainerd Early Childhood Sp. Ed.
Special Education School
5546 Fairview Rd
Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 454-5438
Grades: PK
| 199 students
Rank: n/an/a
702 S 5th St
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6273
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Brainerd Public School District?
Brainerd Public School District manages 13 public schools serving 6,134 students.
What is the rank of Brainerd Public School District?
Brainerd Public School District is ranked #104 out of 522 school districts in Minnesota (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Minnesota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 10%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Brainerd Public School District?
89% of Brainerd Public School District students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Brainerd Public School District?
Brainerd Public School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.
What is Brainerd Public School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $27,332 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 13 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 6,134 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 11%
  • : 87% (Top 50% in MN)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 50% (Top 30%)
  • : 55% (Top 30%)
  • : 54% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education

Quick Links