2024 Best Public Schools

• Mankato Public School District, MN•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I had all six of my children go through this school. It’s a wonderful, happy and orderly environment for learning. The ratio of teachers to students provides individual attention for each student. It’s a good place for students to develop a solid foundation for success at the high school and college levels. My kids turned out great, and I attribute much of their success in adulthood to learning how to live in an orderly system and develop responsibility for self. They learned this at Franklin Elementary School. I’m glad I could drop into my child’s classroom at any time. They welcomed parent volunteers, and I often ate lunch at school with my kids. Good memories there... band concerts, field trips, pak rat reading challenge, track and field days, grandparents day... the list goes on and on.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 412

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Mankato Public School District, MN•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 224

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Northfield Public School District, MN•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Absolutely amazing teachers and Princible the kids have so much fun learning even with covid the teachers made sure everyone still got the help they needed and even into the summer.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 450

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Northfield Public School District, MN•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Both of my kids current attend bridgewater elementary. I have one with special needs and both of my kids love going to school everyday. They both all of their current and past teachers. They both has succeeded so much! I would highly recommend bridgewater elementary!!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 549

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Eastern Allamakee Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• grade A

• Students 196

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Mankato Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  213 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 213 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,249

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Northfield, MN•

• Public School•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 178

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Mankato Public School District, MN•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 188

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Northfield Public School District, MN•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 863

• Student-teacher ratio 33:1

• Rochester Public School District, MN•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Folwell is a small neighborhood school. The administration has adjusted how things are done over the years to combat the small size of the school. There are many ways to get involved and the teachers and staff really care about the kids.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 313

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Byron Public School District, MN•

• 3-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Having 4 children that have gone to Byron schools from preschool to graduation I can honestly say it is an excellent school district.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 527

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Rochester Public School District, MN•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 323

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Rochester Public School District, MN•

• PK, K-10

• grade A minus

• Students 563

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• La Crosse School District, WI•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 118

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Pine Island Public School District, MN•

• 5-8

• grade A minus

• Students 475

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Northfield, MN•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.7 out of 5  10 reviews

Sophomore: Arcadia is an amazing accepting school that revolves around project based learning. There are so many electives that dip in subjects from around the world. You can, and are encouraged to work at your own pace and find out what works best for your learning needs. There is always someone that you can talk to, and finding help is never hard.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 127

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (LCWM) School District, MN•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Excellent teachers who genuinely care about their students. Many parent teacher conferences to discuss your child’s strengths and things they need to work on. Many opportunities for different extracurricular activities. Parents and teachers can easily contact one another through the Seesaw app. Smaller class sizes makes it better for your child to get more one on one attention, along with a class helper for each classroom. I am very happy with the teachers and would suggest LCWM to anyone looking for a great school district with a great history.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 437

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• School District of Onalaska, WI•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 2.67 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: Staff works hard to makes sure students have a positive experience and get the support and services they may need.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 476

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• School District of Onalaska, WI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  120 reviews

Other: My experience at Onalaska High School has been one long, but adventurous journey. My first two years of High School weren't regular years, in fact, my entire high school career wasn't even normal due to Covid-19. Throughout each year, I wanted to advance and take my academics to the next level, so that I could be ready for college. I'm thankful to my parents and to myself for choosing to go to Onalaska High School, since I was able to explore my options and interests, such as engineering, music, languages, business and mathematics/science. I also took part in extracurricular activities which expanded my interests even more. Out of all of those options, I leaned towards Foreign Languages, Finance and International affairs. As of the beginning of the school year, I searched for great and affordable colleges that had the best academic majors. I am currently thinking of applying to Purdue University, Indiana Bloomington, Notre Dame, University of Minnesota Twin Cities and or Ohio State.... Read 120 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 946

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Pine Island Public School District, MN•

• PK, K-4

• grade A minus

• Students 605

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• West Salem School District, WI•

• 5-8

• grade A minus

• Students 547

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Caledonia Public School District, MN•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 285

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Northfield Public School District, MN•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Greenvale Park acts on the value they place on people. They are transparent and help every child to feel like a valued member of the learning community.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 465

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Northfield Public School District, MN•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  178 reviews

Senior: Northfield Senior High School provides opportunities and preparation for those who are interested in attending college, service academies, ROTC programs, trade or professional schools, or to start a career in the work force right out of high school. The teachers are very supportive and the guidance office provides counseling and support for your future pursuits. I certainly learned a lot in my high school career and I appreciated how well supported I felt in choosing to pursue Post-Secondary Education Options. Several teachers have and will continue to make a lasting impression on me and my drive to achieve for the rest of my life. Northfield High School promotes and offers opportunities to serve our local community and to participate in very competitive high school sports. Overall I would recommend Northfield High School to anyone who is seeking a well-rounded education and a great life experience!... Read 178 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,277

• Student-teacher ratio 38:1

• Rochester Public School District, MN•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  260 reviews

Junior: Mayo High School is a great atmosphere for all students and staff. I currently am a junior at Mayo and I would not choose to be anywhere else but here! The student body comes together for so many different activities and events, and it really shows how big of a relationship we form with one another. There are so many different clubs you are able to join to find a sense of belonging and the support from staff is AMAZING! Teachers are always willing to sit down and meet with you one on one to figure things out, administration is very helpful is all situations and circumstances, and the guidance counselors go so far above and beyond to help you with mental/emotional help, college planning, scheduling problems, and so much more! I am able to choose classes that I think will push me enough as well as pick classes that are fun and engaging. I've also learned so many leadership skills and how to be more communicative with others. I am very happy that my parents sent me to Mayo!... Read 260 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,949

• Student-teacher ratio 50:1