For the 2025-26 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 5,077 students in Polk County, MN (there are , serving 906 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Polk County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, MN are Win-e-mac Elementary School, Fertile-beltrami Elementary School and Magelssen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Polk County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Win-e-mac Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
23130 345th St Se
Erskine, MN 56535
(218) 563-2900
Erskine, MN 56535
(218) 563-2900
Gr: PK-6 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Fertile-beltrami Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
210 S Mill St
Fertile, MN 56540
(218) 945-6953
Fertile, MN 56540
(218) 945-6953
Gr: PK-6 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Magelssen Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
700 1st St E
Fosston, MN 56542
(218) 435-6036
Fosston, MN 56542
(218) 435-6036
Gr: PK-6 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Win-e-mac Secondary
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
23130 345th St Se
Erskine, MN 56535
(218) 563-2900
Erskine, MN 56535
(218) 563-2900
Gr: 7-12 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Central Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1827 Bygland Rd Se
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-1141
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-1141
Gr: 6-8 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
801 N Central Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-5600
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-5600
Gr: 1-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
East Grand Forks Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1420 4th Ave Nw
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-2405
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-2405
Gr: 9-12 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Fosston Secondary
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 1st St E
Fosston, MN 56542
(218) 435-1909
Fosston, MN 56542
(218) 435-1909
Gr: 7-12 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Fertile-beltrami Secondary
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
210 S Mill St
Fertile, MN 56540
(218) 945-6953
Fertile, MN 56540
(218) 945-6953
Gr: 7-12 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1010.
Fisher Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
313 Park Ave
Fisher, MN 56723
(218) 891-4105
Fisher, MN 56723
(218) 891-4105
Gr: PK-6 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1111.
Climax Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
111 E Broadway
Climax, MN 56523
(218) 857-2385
Climax, MN 56523
(218) 857-2385
Gr: PK-5 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1212.
South Point Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1900 13th St Se
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-1149
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-1149
Gr: 3-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1313.
Fisher Secondary
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
313 Park Ave
Fisher, MN 56723
(218) 891-4105
Fisher, MN 56723
(218) 891-4105
Gr: 7-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1414.
Crookston Secondary
(Math: 31% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
402 Fisher Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2144
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2144
Gr: 6-12 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1515.
Climax Secondary
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 E Broadway
Climax, MN 56523
(218) 857-2395
Climax, MN 56523
(218) 857-2395
Gr: 6-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: n/an/a
Crookston Pre-k Program
Special Education School
724 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2762
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2762
Gr: PK | 29 students Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
New Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
1427 6th Ave Nw
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-0908
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-0908
Gr: PK-2 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Northern Lights Academy
Alternative School
600 Bruce St
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 470-8325
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 470-8325
Gr: 6-12 | 8 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
724 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2762
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2762
Gr: PK-K | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Polk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Area Special Education Cooperative (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
1505 Central Ave Nw
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-0315
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
(218) 773-0315
Gr: PK-12
900 Alexander St.
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2854
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-2854
Gr: PK-K | 94 students Minority enrollment: 19%
New Paths Alternative Learning Prgm (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
116 West Robert St
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-5864
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-5864
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Polk County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, MN include Win-e-mac Elementary School, Fertile-beltrami Elementary School and Magelssen Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
19 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Polk County include: Fertile-beltrami Elementary School vs. New Heights Elementary School, New Heights Elementary School vs. Fertile-beltrami Elementary School, Climax Secondary vs. Crookston Secondary
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