Summary:
Pelican Rapids, Minnesota is served by two schools in the Pelican Rapids Public Schools district: Viking Elementary School, which covers grades PK–6 with 468 students, and Pelican Rapids Secondary, which covers grades 7–12 with 374 students. Together they enroll 842 students; there is no separate middle school or alternative school in this data set. The district ranks 142 of 458 in Minnesota (69th percentile, 3 stars), but that single number masks two schools moving in opposite directions.
Pelican Rapids Secondary is the clear standout. It ranks 73 of 473 statewide (85th percentile, 4 stars) in 2025–2026, up from 158 of 450 (65th percentile) and 295 of 480 (39th percentile) in the two prior years. All-grade Math is 48 versus the state's 44.9 and Science is 29.8 versus 25.5, while Reading is 47 versus 48.6. Grade-level results are strong too: 11th grade Math is 52.5 against a state figure of 35.3. The caveat is completion risk — the dropout rate is 8.3 versus the state's 4.2, even though the graduation rate of 84.7 is essentially at the state's 84.9.
Viking Elementary School is the concern. It ranks 564 of 869 (35th percentile, 2 stars), down from the 54th percentile a year earlier. All-grade Reading is 38.1 versus the state's 48.6 and Science is 16.2 versus 25.5, with Math close to the state at 45 versus 44.9. Third grade Reading is 24.2 against a state figure of 46.8, and 5th grade Reading and Math are also well below state. Notably, free/reduced lunch percentages are nearly identical between the two schools (57.69% and 58.29%) and the elementary school actually has the lower student-teacher ratio, 11.3 versus 13.3, yet the secondary school outperforms it in every all-grade subject.
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