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Best High Schools in Brainerd, MN


At a glance
3
Schools
1,971
Students
Top rankedBrainerd Senior High209th of 450 Minnesota high schools
Summary:

The city of Brainerd, Minnesota is home to two high schools: Brainerd Senior High and Independent School District (ISD) 181 Learning Center. Based on the available data, Brainerd Senior High appears to be the standout school in the area, consistently ranking higher in statewide SchoolDigger rankings and maintaining strong academic performance metrics. In contrast, ISD 181 Learning Center has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Minnesota high schools and has significantly lower proficiency rates in math and reading assessments.

Brainerd Senior High has reached as high as 47th out of 476 Minnesota high schools in the 2022-2023 school year and has maintained a 4-star or 5-star rating from SchoolDigger in recent years. The school has higher proficiency rates in MCA-III Math and Reading assessments compared to the Brainerd Public School District and the state of Minnesota averages. Additionally, Brainerd Senior High has a relatively low dropout rate of 4.4% and a solid 84.2% four-year graduation rate.

In contrast, ISD 181 Learning Center has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Minnesota high schools, reaching as low as 412th out of 450 in the 2024-2025 school year. The school has only received 0 or 1 star ratings from SchoolDigger, indicating below-average overall performance. Proficiency rates in MCA-III Math and Reading assessments are significantly lower than the district and state averages, and the school has a higher free/reduced lunch rate of 61.01%, suggesting a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students.

Ranking: Map legend
E = Elementary, M = Middle, H = High, A = Alternative, P = Private





Cities Near Brainerd

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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