Pillager Middle School

Pillager Middle School in Pillager, MN, is a public school serving grades 5–8 with 433 students as part of the Pillager Public School District, which ranks 146th of 458 Minnesota districts (68th percentile, 3 stars) and sits in a central Minnesota area with nearby public school options in neighboring communities.

The school’s own 2025–26 rank is 172nd of 546 Minnesota middle schools (68th percentile, 3 stars), up from 301st of 521 and the 42nd percentile in 2020–21. Reading is its clearest strength: 53.4% proficiency, above the district’s 51.1% and the state’s 48.6%, and far above Staples-Motley Middle School’s 37.4%. Math is 42.8%, below the district’s 45.5% and state’s 44.9%, though grade 6 math is a standout at 58.1%, above state and both nearby traditional peers. Science is the biggest concern at 21.4%, below the district’s 26.2% and state’s 25.5%, and down from 43.72% in 2023–24. Grade 8 is the weakest grade overall, below state in math, reading, and science. Pillager outranks Staples-Motley Middle School overall, but Forestview Middle ranks higher at 130th of 546 (76th percentile, 4 stars); Pillager is competitive in grade 6 math, grade 7 reading, and essentially tied in science (21.4% vs. 21.3%). The Pillager Public School District also ranks higher than Staples-Motley School District and Brainerd Public School District, though Forestview is a strong school within Brainerd. Middle Level Alternative Program is very small and alternative, so it is not a meaningful academic peer.

For parents, subgroup results are strongest for female students (69th percentile) and low-income students (68th percentile), while special education is 45th percentile. Student-teacher ratio is 16.8, higher than Staples-Motley Middle School (14.6) and Forestview Middle (15.5), yet Pillager still outranks Staples-Motley. Free/reduced lunch is 36.95%, down from recent years and close to Forestview. Biggest improvement opportunities are grade 8 math, grade 8 reading, and science, especially grade 8 science.