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Pine River-Backus Elementary

Q: Is Pine River-Backus Elementary a good school?

Pine River-Backus Elementary ranks 410 th of 869 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

410^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 869 Minnesota Elementary Schools

Better than 53% of Minnesota elementary schools

Summary

Pine River-Backus Elementary is a public PK–6 school in the small north-central Minnesota town of Pine River, serving 478 students as part of the Pine River-Backus School District. The school currently ranks 410th of 869 Minnesota elementary schools in 2025–26 (53rd percentile, 3 stars), a mid-tier position that marks a real step up from its 2-star, 40th-percentile standing in 2023–24. It also outperforms its own district, which sits at 307th of 458 statewide (33rd percentile, 2 stars).

Reading is the school's clearest strength: 54.2% of students met proficiency in 2025–26, above the district (45.1%) and the state (48.6%). Math is the main concern at 40.4%, below the state's 44.9%, and the all-grade average hides a sharp grade-level slide — 3rd grade math is strong at 65.0% (above the state's 57.9%), but 4th grade drops to 47.3%, and 5th and 6th grade fall to 26.8% and 26.6%. Reading stays steady across grades, and 5th grade science (25.0%) is essentially at the state level (25.9%).

Compared with nearby options, Eagle View Elementary (4 stars) and Nisswa Elementary (4 stars) post math scores around 68% and reading near 59%, while Crosslake Community Seat Based is similar in math and science but slightly lower in reading, and Crosslake Community K-5 Online trails far behind in the subjects with reported data. Worth noting: about 68% of Pine River-Backus students qualify for free or reduced lunch, roughly double the rates at Eagle View and Nisswa. The school ranks in the top quartile statewide for effectiveness with low-income students (74th percentile, 4 stars), while special education effectiveness remains a consistent relative challenge (25th percentile, 1 star). Its student-teacher ratio of 12.8 is comparable to Eagle View's 12.5.

478

Students ?

12.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,652

Per pupil spending ?

68.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Minnesota receive free school meals.

61.1%

Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (2025-26)

Exemptions: 11.1% (MMR)

401 Murray Ave
Pine River, MN 56474-8888

(218) 587-4447

District: Pine River-Backus School District

Students who attend Pine River-Backus Elementary usually attend:

High:

Pine River-Backus High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.7%

Two or more races:

5.4%

Hispanic:

2.9%

See top rated Minnesota elementary schools

Compare Pine River-Backus Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 34th percentile in 2016 → 53rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 19 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Minnesota median (53rd percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg35%

Minnesota avg43%

410^th of 869

Minnesota public elementary schools ?

Top 47%▲ up 19 pts since 2016

From bottom 34% (2016) to top 47% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Minnesota Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

307^th of 458Pine River-Backus School District among Minnesota districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	54.2	410 of 869	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.7	375 of 872	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.9	530 of 881	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.7	554 of 845	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.7	589 of 858	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.4	581 of 869	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.6	560 of 870	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.1	542 of 847	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	52.3	485 of 853	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	44.7	563 of 848	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2015	37.1	617 of 840	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	30.0	660 of 826	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	31.3	651 of 824	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	56.9	444 of 820	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2011	53.5	471 of 814	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	44.9	578 of 803	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	37.6	610 of 781	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	36.4	626 of 777	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	48.7	475 of 756	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2005	60.0	302 of 685	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2004	66.5	222 of 676	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2003	62.1	274 of 674	59.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	51.9	398 of 790	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	61.9	313 of 799	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.8	500 of 809	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.6	538 of 787	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.7	507 of 799	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.1	565 of 783	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	35.6	578 of 787	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	47.9	481 of 774	37.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	67.3	196 of 764	74.3%	★★★★☆
2025	68.2	180 of 764	76.4%	★★★★☆
2024	55.1	355 of 793	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.4	337 of 774	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.8	341 of 663	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	55.6	310 of 683	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.6	335 of 740	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.4	378 of 728	48.1%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	51.7	404 of 807	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.7	419 of 812	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.5	498 of 826	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.4	487 of 799	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	33.4	603 of 808	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	45.0	509 of 784	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.4	448 of 798	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.5	532 of 779	31.7%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	29.6	436 of 579	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	29.7	425 of 562	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.8	389 of 572	32.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.6	262 of 524	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	42.1	310 of 500	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.3	199 of 417	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.6	202 of 515	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	29.9	332 of 463	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Minnesota percentile	Rating
2026	32.7	522 of 710	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.5	493 of 714	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.7	608 of 730	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.0	634 of 712	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.4	654 of 725	9.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	18.1	654 of 710	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	22.4	644 of 722	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.7	628 of 712	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)74th percentile+22 vs school

Male (2026)50th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2026)50th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)26th percentile-26 vs school

Special Education (2026)25th percentile-28 vs school

By subject vs Minnesota (2025-2026) ?

Reading54%+6 vs state

Math40%-4 vs state

Science25%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Pine River-Backus Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCA-IV Reading (2026)							MCA-IV Science (2026)			MCA-III Math (2026)							Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCA-IV Reading 3rd Grade	MCA-IV Reading 4th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 5th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 6th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 7th Grade	MCA-IV Reading 8th Grade	MCA-IV Reading All Grades	MCA-IV Science 5th Grade	MCA-IV Science 8th Grade	MCA-IV Science All Grades	MCA-III Math 3rd Grade	MCA-III Math 4th Grade	MCA-III Math 5th Grade	MCA-III Math 6th Grade	MCA-III Math 7th Grade	MCA-III Math 8th Grade	MCA-III Math All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Total
Pine River-Backus Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	401 Murray Ave	Pine River	56474	Cass County	Pine River-Backus School District	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 587-4447	478	37	12.8	68.0%	429 (89.7%)	2 (0.4%)	14 (2.9%)	3 (0.6%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (5.4%)	54.2	410^th of 869 public elementary schools	52.8%		59.7	375^th of 872 public elementary schools	57.0%	35	50.0	60.0	53.6	53.8			54.2	25.0		25.0	65.0	47.3	26.8	26.6			40.4	61.1%	11.1%	$11,652
Eagle View Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	6539 County Rd 11	Breezy Point	56472	Crow Wing County	Pequot Lakes Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 562-6100	557	44	12.5	36.6%	530 (95.2%)	2 (0.4%)	13 (2.3%)	3 (0.5%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.1%)	77.2	177^th of 869 public elementary schools	79.6%		80.2	147^th of 872 public elementary schools	83.1%	30	62.6	55.0					58.7				72.0	64.9					68.3	55.5%	10%	$10,458
Crosslake Community Seat Based	Public, Charter	K-8	35808 County Rd 66	Crosslake	56442	Crow Wing County	Crosslake Community Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(218) 692-5437	150	18	8.3	36.7%	130 (86.7%)	5 (3.3%)	10 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.3%)	45.6	510^th of 869 public elementary schools	41.3%		39.3	578^th of 872 public elementary schools	33.7%	68	54.5	31.3	61.5	50.0			51.5	23.1		26.3	54.5	50.0	15.4	28.6			40.9			$12,610
Crosslake Community K-5 Online	Public, Virtual, Charter	K-5	35808 County Road 66	Crosslake	56442	Crow Wing County	Crosslake Community Charter School	Yes	No	Yes	No	(218) 537-3623	33	2	16.1	63.6%	28 (84.8%)	1 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (6.1%)								(n/a)							9.1										7.7
Nisswa Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5533 Lakers Lane	Nisswa	56468	Crow Wing County	Brainerd Public School District	No	No	No	No	(218) 961-6860	249	18	13.8	27.3%	233 (93.6%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.6%)	76.9	182^nd of 869 public elementary schools	79.1%		75.4	203^rd of 872 public elementary schools	76.7%	21	61.4	53.6	63.6				58.5	31.8		31.8	64.3	74.1	63.6				68.4	70.6%	7.8%	$12,324

Frequently Asked Questions about Pine River-Backus Elementary

Is Pine River-Backus Elementary a good school?

Pine River-Backus Elementary ranks 410^th of 869 Minnesota elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Pine River-Backus Elementary attend?

Students who attend Pine River-Backus Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Pine River-Backus High School

What district is Pine River-Backus Elementary in?

Pine River-Backus School District

What is the racial makeup of Pine River-Backus Elementary?

Students at Pine River-Backus Elementary are 90% White, 5% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

How many students attend Pine River-Backus Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 478 students attended Pine River-Backus Elementary.

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Latest Minnesota data All new data »

2019–20 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 MCA-III & MCA-IV test scoresSep 30, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCA-III test scoresAug 29, 2025

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.