Summary:
Zip code 56468 is home to a single school, Nisswa Elementary, an elementary school serving grades PK–5 with 249 students as part of the Brainerd Public School District. Because there are no middle, high, or alternative schools in this zip code, families here have one local school for the elementary years, with students moving on to other district schools afterward.
Nisswa Elementary has earned a 4-star SchoolDigger rating in each of the last three school years and has ranked in the top quartile of Minnesota elementary schools — 182 of 869 (79th percentile) in 2025–2026, 203 of 872 in 2024–2025, and 147 of 881 in 2023–2024. That stands out against its own district, which is rated 2 stars and ranked 249 of 458 districts at the 46th percentile. In 2025–2026, the school outperformed both the district and the state in every reported subject: math at 68.4% proficient versus 46.4% district and 44.9% state; reading at 58.5% versus 52.0% and 48.6%; and science at 31.8% versus 26.2% and 25.5%. Math is the biggest strength, with 4th grade at 74.1% and 5th grade at 63.6%.
Reading improved year over year, rising from 55.34% in 2024–2025 to 58.5% in 2025–2026 while state reading dipped slightly. Math slipped from 72.82% to 68.4% but still far exceeded state and district levels. Science is above both comparison groups yet lower in absolute terms, and it is reported only for 5th grade. The school enrolls 249 students, has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio, and reported 27.31% free/reduced lunch in 2024–2025. Even its narrowest margins — 3rd grade math and 4th grade reading — remained above district and state averages.
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