For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 5,966 students in Forest Lake, MN (there are 1 private school, serving 332 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Forest Lake, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Forest Lake, MN are Columbus Elementary School, Lila Kinder Center and Lila Upper School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Forest Lake, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Forest Lake have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Forest Lake, MN (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Columbus Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
17345 Notre Dame St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8900
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8900
Grades: PK-6
| 426 students
Rank: #22.
Lila Kinder Center
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
121 Se 11th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Grades: PK-K
| 118 students
Rank: #33.
Lila Upper School
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
19850 Fenway Avenue N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Grades: 6-12
| 572 students
Rank: #44.
Forest Lake Area High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6101 Scandia Tr N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8401
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8401
Grades: 9-12
| 1,823 students
Rank: #55.
North Lakes Academy Upper School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
308 15th St Sw
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2688
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2688
Grades: 9-12
| 141 students
Rank: #66.
North Lakes Academy Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4576 232nd St N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 797-6266
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 797-6266
Grades: K-5
| 266 students
Rank: #77.
Forest Lake Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
408 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3200
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3200
Grades: 4-6
| 315 students
Rank: #88.
Lila Lower School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
246 Se 11th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-0771
Grades: 1-5
| 597 students
Rank: #99.
Forest View Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8200
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8200
Grades: PK-3
| 333 students
Rank: #1010.
North Lakes Academy Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4576 232nd St N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2688
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2688
Grades: 6-8
| 148 students
Rank: #1111.
Forest Lake Area Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
21395 Goodview Ave N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3000
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3000
Grades: 7-8
| 844 students
Rank: #1212.
Forest Lake Area Community School
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
943 Sw 9th Avenue
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Grades: 6-12
| 198 students
Rank: n/an/a
Community School Credit Recovery
Alternative School
943 9th Ave Sw
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Grades: 9-12
| 15 students
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Special Education
Special Education School
943 Sw 9th Avenue
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8129
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8129
Grades: PK
| 124 students
Rank: n/an/a
Online Learning Program
Charter School
19850 Fenway Ave N
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-8989
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
943 Sw 9th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8350
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8350
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Step
Special Education School
200 Sw 4th Street
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8129
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8129
Grades: 10-12
| 46 students
Forest Lake, Minnesota Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
200 Sw 4th St
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3171
Grades: PK-6
| 114 students
Fairview Recovery Services High School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
246 11th Avenue Se
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2078
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-2078
Grades: 9-12
| 13 students
Forest Lake Targeted Services (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
200 Sw Ave Se
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8270
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8270
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Lakes Ed. Center (Closed 2010)
Special Education School
121 11th Ave S.e.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8356
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8356
Grades: 10-11
| 4 students
943 Sw 9th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-3175
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
943 Sw 9th Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8700
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 982-8700
Grades: 7-9
| 640 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Forest Lake, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Forest Lake, MN include Columbus Elementary School, Lila Kinder Center and Lila Upper School.
How many public schools are located in Forest Lake?
17 public schools are located in Forest Lake.
What percentage of students in Forest Lake go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Forest Lake are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Forest Lake?
Forest Lake public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Forest Lake are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Forest Lake include: Forest View Elementary School vs. Columbus Elementary School, Columbus Elementary School vs. Forest View Elementary School, Lila Kinder Center vs. North Lakes Academy Middle School
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