Best Public Schools in Minneapolis, MN

The city of Minneapolis, Minnesota is home to 134 schools, including 70 elementary schools, 21 middle schools, 39 high schools, and 4 alternative schools. These schools serve a diverse student population and demonstrate a wide range of academic performance, with some standout schools ranking among the best in the state and others struggling to meet proficiency standards.

Among the top-performing schools in the area are Burroughs Elementary, ranked 4th out of 845 Minnesota elementary schools, with over 85% of students proficient in math and reading. Other high-achieving schools include Northrop Elementary, Armatage Elementary, Kenny Elementary, and Lake Harriet Upper Elementary. These schools have consistently maintained top rankings in the state for the past several years.

In contrast, the Minneapolis Public School District as a whole lags behind the state average, with only 35% of students proficient in math and 41% proficient in reading. Graduation rates also vary widely, from a high of 92.4% at Washburn High to just 11.5% at Wellstone International High. These disparities highlight the significant inequities within the district and the need to address systemic barriers to student success.