2024 Best Public High Schools in Minnesota

• Wayzata Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  485 reviews

Alum: Wayzata High School is filled with a lot of memories and experiences. It offers many opportunities and the staff members are all supportive. From fashion to culinary, the school provides classes for students with all types of dreams. It has advanced classes to challenge some students but also offers slow-paced classes to help other students who need a little boost. Although it is a populated school, each student gets the attention and help needed. The student-to-teacher ratio is well thought out as every student is seen and aided by their teachers. Like all schools, it has its ups and downs but overall is a great school with diverse people, experiences, and opportunities to succeed and advance in life.... Read 485 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,505

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Eden Prairie Schools, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  673 reviews

Senior: I started going to Eden Prairie Highschool as a junior. It was overwhelming to move from a school of 300 to 3000, but I was pleasantly surprised by how diverse the school was and how social everyone was. At first, I didn't actually care too much for the school outside of academics and graduating but with the wide array of clubs here, I found a few new interests. I'm apart of the DND club and I love it! Most clubs are completely student-run which makes it feel less like an extra class and more like a hangout to express your interests. Academic-wise, I'm actually stunned at the amount of interesting and unique classes you can be apart of. I mean, there's a whole class dedicated to historical assassinations and nothing else! Although, coming from Canada, the lack of information counselors give you about everything is kind of disappointing. I didn't know how important the ACT was, nor did I know where to go for scholarships. That's really my only complaint. Solid 9/10 otherwise!... Read 673 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,827

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Minnetonka Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  667 reviews

Senior: As a current high school senior at Minnetonka High School, I can confidently say that this school has provided me with an exceptional education and an overall incredible high school experience. First and foremost, the teachers at Minnetonka High School are outstanding. They are knowledgeable, passionate, and truly care about their students' success. They go above and beyond to ensure that we are understanding the material and are always available to provide extra help if needed. Their dedication to their students is evident in the way they teach and interact with us, and it has had a significant impact on my academic success. In addition to the exceptional teaching staff, Minnetonka High School offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities and clubs. Whether you're interested in sports, music, theater, or anything in between, there's something for everyone.... Read 667 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,504

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Edina Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  400 reviews

Sophomore: All of my teachers are incredible, and the school is pretty nice. The views from the lunch room are amazing, the food is pretty good, and the options for classes are incredible. The one concern for some students is money. Lots of kids at EHS come from incredibly wealthy families, and events like Homecoming and Football games display the wealth. Other than that, I enjoy coming to school, and feel like I have a good connection with almost all of my teachers.... Read 400 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,680

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Nova Classical Academy, MN•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: This school pushes you hard, and prepares you for higher education and an educated life. From Logic and Rhetoric to Latin and Ancient Lit., you receive a background steeped in classical knowledge. You will find a mind to comprehend, an ear to listen, and the learning to come up with solutions. The requirements are structured to simulate the difficulty of college, thereby most graduates claim that college was easier than high school! If you are not ready for the rigor, you may not be able to handle the heavy discussions and writing-intensive workload. However, if you are an individual, like me, who thrives beneath struggle and high expectations, this would be the place for you.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 508

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Independent School District No. 196, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  421 reviews

Senior: The teachers are great and really understanding. They all want the best for their students and will take the extra leap to make sure their students get to where they need to be. There are tons of clubs and organizations for every student to enjoy: from mathletes, chess teams, and robotics to even a self-care club! Eastview school is very welcoming to new students like freshmen or transfers. In conclusion, Eastview is a diverse place where the teachers really care about their students and everyone has a chance to do what they like.... Read 421 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,289

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Woodbury, MN•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  72 reviews

Junior: My experience at the Math and Science Academy has been a journey that has allowed me to learn a lot. The best part of my experience is the teachers, students, and advisors. The teachers take the time to make sure that the students have a good understanding of the material and are always available for help. The community is very diverse and allowed me to meet people who have the same background as me. The clubs offered here allowed me to build a better relationship with my community and gain soft skills that I can use in the future. The worst part of my experience was the amount of coursework we got because I came here during freshman year so I wasn't used to the large amount of coursework. Something I would like to see change is the size of the classrooms because there isn't enough room for all the students. I would also want the clubs and sports to be better supported because some of them don't have any buses, so many of us have to rely on parents or others to participate.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 553

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• St. Croix Preparatory Academy, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  154 reviews

Senior: Since starting at St. Croix Prep in kindergarten, I have grown as a student, athlete, and member of my community. Through the excellent support of my teachers, I have learned that I can be a self-sufficient student as well as ask for help when I need it. Through the flexibility of my teachers and coaches, I have balanced being a top student in my class as well as an accomplished athlete. Finally, through the values St. Croix Prep places on service and integrity, I have learned the importance of serving my community in and outside of the school environment.... Read 154 reviews

• grade A

• Students 376

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Independent School District No. 196, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  531 reviews

Senior: I started in 2020 as a freshman, I attended both online and in-person that year. The school has sufficient education and a safe environment for most students. I do notice that there is a very 'hands-off' approach when it comes to pretty much anything. The administration and actual teachers do not communicate effectively from my point of view, for example last minute schedule changes for a 2,000 person school are often spread by students themselves.... Read 531 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,111

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Hopkins Public Schools, MN•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  413 reviews

Alum: Overall, I would say that my experience at Hopkins High School was pretty good. I unfortunately didn’t really get a full high school experience, as my sophomore year was impacted as a result of Covid. Aside from that, throughout my junior and senior year, I felt as though my teachers actually cared about me and my success. They were always willing to help, no matter the circumstance. One thing that I would like to see change is how administration chooses to prioritize issues inside the school. There were definitely times throughout my experience where some less serious issues were prioritized over the more serious ones. But other than that, my high school experience was pretty good.... Read 413 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,599

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Mounds View Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  378 reviews

Senior: My experience with Mounds View High School was very positive. It was a very great learning environment and allowed me to succeed in advanced classes. Mounds View offers many different types of classes for every type of student. Class sizes average around 25 students per class which guarantees one-on-one time with teachers. Mounds View also offers many clubs which range from athletic to academic to social. We are class AAA and our sports compete against some of the top schools in the state. Our athletic program sends many teams and athletes to state every school year in a variety of sports. I have participated in 5 different teams at Mounds View and have thoroughly enjoyed every single one. It was a great way for me to meet new friends! Mounds View has set me up to get into respectable universities and to succeed in life.... Read 378 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,897

• Student-teacher ratio 30:1

• St. Paul Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  391 reviews

Junior: Before starting high school I was overwhelmed with what I will experience entering the new environment being nervous about the people who I will meet and what I will have to go through my high school years. But in reality it’s whole different experience. Central high school, is the best decision I ever made. Students there was open minded, supported everyone around them, no matter if they know them or not. Central high school has been taken many action and standing up for what is rights and I’m so happy to be a central high school student.... Read 391 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,845

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Great River School, MN•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  24 reviews

Junior: Great River School is a Montessori and Is great at encouraging students to take risks, make new friends, and be independent. The curriculum is hands-on and engaging. The teachers and staff are all extremely kind and are very understanding of our needs as students for extensions and different requirements on work. I could walk up to any student in my grade and have a great conversation. The building is old and always seems to be either too hot or too cold which is not so fun. Overall I love this school and everyone here is so easy to get along with.... Read 24 reviews

• grade A

• Students 407

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Brooklyn Park, MN•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  13 reviews

Parent: My child started the school year very shut down, anxious, and overwhelmed due to IEP needs being unmet in traditional public school. They had missed 45% of the previous school year as a result. The staff is welcoming, supportive, and able to tailor education to the child's specific needs rather than apply a cookie-cutter approach. This wholistic approach resulted in my child looking forward to school, missing very few days, and actually improving grades and comprehension.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• Students 62

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Eagle Ridge Academy Charter School, MN•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  83 reviews

Junior: I’ve been at Eagle Ridge since kindergarten. I’ve had some really amazing teachers that have encouraged me to do my best in school, challenge me to think for myself and explain how my thought process and/or opinions have been derived, and allow me to learn from my mistakes knowing they are part of the learning process. Eagle Ridge has been a great added influence on the development of my character because it mirrors what my parents are also teaching me-to strive for excellence, work hard with perseverance, be respectful, be an outstanding citizen, be honorable, and have integrity.... Read 83 reviews

• grade A

• Students 594

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Independent School District No. 196, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  328 reviews

Senior: Rosemount High School is a great school and has many opportunities for all students of all interests. I personally love science and math and Rosemount provides many courses of science and math such as, physics, chemistry, algebra, calculus and statistics. I have taken physics, chemistry, geometry, algebra and calculus, they are all amazing classes with amazing teachers and provided me with so much learning. They also provide many courses in arts, engineering, music, computer science and much more for students who are interested in those classes. The teachers at Rosemount are also very helpful and caring to their students, they make sure to help the students if there is any trouble. The students itself at Rosemount are great people! I get along with everyone and have met some of my closest friends at this school. Rosemount is a school where I can feel safe to come and pursue my learning.... Read 328 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,532

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Roseville Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  553 reviews

Alum: My experience being at Roseville Area High School staff offers a wide range of challenging courses taught by experienced teachers. RAHS provides lots of extracurricular activities, they allow students to explore their interests and develop their skills. RAHS has AP programs and offers resources for college and career readiness (AVID), to help students with opportunities for future success. Apart from that, RAHS has a large student population, which can also feel crowded in classrooms and can have less individual attention especially with students that tend to struggle more on school. Having multiple teachers and more one-on-one support can make a change at RAHS for students who struggle on on their academics.... Read 553 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,324

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Lakeville Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  277 reviews

Parent: Lakeville South High School in Lakeville, Minnesota has excellent teachers and a wonderful student environment for Science, Engineering, Technology Math and strong music and liberal arts classes learning, and extracurriculars! Teachers are passionate about seeing their students succeed. They are so great about sharing moments of pride they see within your child – their good behaviors and achievements; and they know the importance of getting the parents involved should an issue arise, and do it in a very respectful, approachable manner.... Read 277 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,822

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Lakeville Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  318 reviews

Senior: Nothing can truly prepare you for High school because there is no correct path. The only guarantee is that there will be good days and there will be days you would rather forget. I hope to remember my wins more frequently than my losses. One example is when I took a college level English course last year. I was convinced that I was condemning my GPA to mediocrity. However that class gave me a rare opportunity. To enjoy writing again. I always prioritize academics but the ability to freely create was an unaccustomed wonder. That class reminded me there was more to my life than grades but the pursuit of creativity. Because by this time I had already been chastised for a lack of confinement. Teachers and peers were often annoyed by my inability to stay within the targeted word limit. This disapproval only fostered a need to silence my train of thought. This theme within high school needs to change. Our world is facing irreparable harm and we cannot change it by thinking in the box.... Read 318 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,815

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• St. Paul Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  226 reviews

Freshman: High school is a transformative journey filled with growth, self-discovery, and countless possibilities. The diverse range of subjects, extracurricular activities, and social interactions provide opportunities for personal growth and uncovering passions. High school fosters a sense of community and belonging through friendships, group projects, and engaging in sports teams, clubs, and community service. Exposure to diverse perspectives and cultures promotes understanding and acceptance, contributing to a more harmonious society. However, areas that could benefit from improvement include mental health support, balancing academic pressure, enhancing security measures, incorporating practical life skills into the curriculum, and improving technology integration in the classroom. Addressing these areas would create an even more supportive and enriching environment for students.... Read 226 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,340

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Eastern Carver County Public Schools, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  305 reviews

Senior: I feel that Chanhassen High School is an amazing place that has a strong community. Throughout my years attending Chanhassen High School I have noticed that the school not only values the health and well being of their students, but also their safety. The school also heavily values the demonstration of Integrity and Responsibility. Overall Chanhassen High School is an amazing school for a number for reasons resulting in me reccomending it to others!... Read 305 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,438

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Osseo Area Schools, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  524 reviews

Parent: Great school! MGHS is very connected with the community and has great school spirit! Rigorous academics, very competitive athletic teams and strong music and performing arts. School has invested in facilities that have kept pace with space and technology needs. Disappointing number of referendums that never seem to end….... Read 524 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,294

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Mankato Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  212 reviews

Senior: Overall a great school! Many of the teachers really care about students, but occasionally we as students feel neglected by the actual administration. The lack of air conditioning is sometimes unbearable in the summer. I feel like I have learned a lot there and overall it is a very good high school experience.... Read 212 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,249

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Independent School District No. 196, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  259 reviews

Alum: My experience at Apple Valley was entertaining, educational, and a bit frustrating at times. I went to Valley Middle School and during our eight grade year we had to attend the high school due to construction and there not being enough space, so I was technically at Apple Valley for 5 years. Academically, the teachers and administration did good. They did their best to engage with their students and get to know them on a different level to where they can help better the student both inside and outside of the classroom. Apple Valley is one of the most diverse schools in the area, but it could work on making the diverse students feel more included. This could be by teaching more African American studies, and not just teaching MLK and Rosa Parks, making the diverse students feel heard and listened to, and making a change within the classroom and not just punishing those for making mistakes, but teaching them the ways to learn from them and to use mistakes as a stepping stone.... Read 259 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,827

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Minneapolis Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  23 reviews

Senior: I deeply enjoyed my time at southwest. Many courses were offered, and I was able to pursue my academic interests at a high level. I loved all the teachers and support staff, and admired how COVID safe our school tried to be. My teachers were helpful and supportive, and loved to discuss what we were learning, and not simply lecture. My peers were often driven and kind, and there was a level of diversity within the school that rounded out my education. On the other hand, I do not think that the new administration appropriately values the arts, as they attempted to cut critical departments such as guitar education and dance. Having these art programs are something that gives balance to an educational world otherwise so focused in STEM and business. I think the administration needs to hire more qualified well rounded forward thinkers at the management level.... Read 23 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,715

• Student-teacher ratio 32:1