Top 10 Best Pine County Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 3,740 students in Pine County, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 109 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Pine County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Pine County, MN are Finlayson Elementary School, East Central Elementary School and Vision. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pine County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Pine County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Pine County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Finlayson Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2159 Hwy 18
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 233-7611
Grades: PK-6
| 58 students
Rank: #22.
East Central Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Grades: PK-6
| 382 students
Rank: #33.
Vision
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1035 Main St. S.
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 358-1214
Grades: K-12
| 20 students
Rank: #44.
Pine City Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
700 6th Ave Sw
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4212
Grades: PK-6
| 850 students
Rank: #55.
Willow River Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8142 Pine St
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Grades: PK-6
| 224 students
Rank: #66.
Pine City Secondary
(Math: 41% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Grades: 7-12
| 699 students
Rank: #77.
Pine City Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1225 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4111
Grades: 9-12
| 33 students
Rank: #88.
Willow River Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8142 Pine St
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Grades: 7-12
| 191 students
Rank: #99.
Crossroads Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Grades: 7-12
| 38 students
Rank: #1010.
Hinckley Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
111 Blair Ave S
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6443
Grades: PK-6
| 449 students
Rank: #1111.
East Central Senior Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6015
Grades: 7-12
| 345 students
Rank: #1212.
Hinckley-finlayson Secondary
(Math: 15% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Grades: 7-12
| 421 students
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood
700 6th St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4030
Grades: PK
| 12 students
Rank: n/an/a
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6013
Grades: PK-K
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Empower Learning Center
Alternative School
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Grades: 10-12
| 18 students
Rank: n/an/a
Midlevel Alc
Alternative School
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4010
Grades: 7-11
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1400 Main St S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4117
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Pine County Transition Program
Special Education School
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 384-6132
Grades: 12
| n/a students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Pine County, MN

Pine County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
61085 State Hwy 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-2216
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
214 Eagle Drive
Sandstone, MN 55072
(218) 340-5800
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1400 Main Street S
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4112
Grades: 10-12
| 49 students
Pine City Ts (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
1400 Main St. S.
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 629-4112
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
201 Main St E
Hinckley, MN 55037
(320) 358-1214
Grades: 9-12
| 15 students
63842 Ojibwe Rd
Sandstone, MN 55072
(320) 384-7598
Grades: K-8
| 22 students
49634 St. Croix Camp Lane
Sandstone, MN 55072
(320) 245-5214
Grades: 7-12
| 51 students
Vision (Closed 2021)
Special Education School
870 Main St
Pine City, MN 55063
(320) 322-2201
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
8142 Pine St
Willow River, MN 55795
(218) 372-3131
Grades: 10-12
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Pine County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Pine County, MN include Finlayson Elementary School, East Central Elementary School and Vision.
How many public schools are located in Pine County?
20 public schools are located in Pine County.
What percentage of students in Pine County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Pine County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pine County?
Pine County public schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Pine County are often viewed compared to one another?

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