Summary:
ZIP code 56364 covers Pierz, Minnesota, with two public schools: Pioneer Elementary (PK–6, 607 students) and Healy Secondary (7–12, 607 students), both in the Pierz Public School District, which ranks 71st of 458 Minnesota districts (84th percentile, 4 stars). There is no separate middle school; students move to Healy at grade 7.
Pioneer Elementary is the standout, ranking in the top 10% of Minnesota elementary schools for three straight years (92nd–94th percentile, 5 stars). Its 2025–26 proficiency beats district and state in math (72.8% vs 44.9% state) and reading (67.8% vs 48.6% state). Healy Secondary has excellent completion outcomes—94.5% graduation rate vs 84.9% state, and 1.0% dropout vs 4.2% state—but its test performance is mixed and volatile. Its rank fell from 95th percentile (5 stars) in 2024–25 to 62nd percentile (3 stars) in 2025–26. All-grade reading is 38.9%, below both district (55.1%) and state (48.6%); math is 53.6%, above state but below district.
Key takeaways: Pioneer Elementary anchors the district’s strong reputation, while Healy Secondary’s strong completion metrics contrast with a recent academic dip. Reading at Healy Secondary dropped 21.24 points and science fell 12.19 points from the prior year, the clearest red flag. Science is relatively weak at both schools, though both exceed state averages. Pioneer Elementary has a higher free/reduced lunch rate (30.48% vs 24.55%) yet outperforms academically. Class sizes differ (Pioneer Elementary 13.7, Healy Secondary 16.5). Overall, the district’s high rank masks a two-speed system: a top elementary and a high school with strong graduation/dropout but uneven and currently weaker test proficiency, especially in reading and science.
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