For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 1,300 students in Lake County, MN (there are 2 private schools, serving 323 private students). 81% of all K-12 students in Lake County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lake County, MN are William Kelley Elementary School, Minnehaha Elementary School and Wm. M. Kelley Secondary. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Lake County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Lake County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
William Kelley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
137 Banks Blvd
Silver Bay, MN 55614
(218) 226-4437
Silver Bay, MN 55614
(218) 226-4437
Gr: PK-5 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Minnehaha Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
421 7th St
Two Harbors, MN 55616
(218) 834-8221
Two Harbors, MN 55616
(218) 834-8221
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Wm. M. Kelley Secondary
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
137 Banks Blvd
Silver Bay, MN 55614
(218) 226-4437
Silver Bay, MN 55614
(218) 226-4437
Gr: 6-12 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Two Harbors Secondary
(Math: 34% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1640 Highway 2, # 100
Two Harbors, MN 55616
(218) 834-8201
Two Harbors, MN 55616
(218) 834-8201
Gr: 6-12 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lake County, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Lake County, MN include William Kelley Elementary School, Minnehaha Elementary School and Wm. M. Kelley Secondary.
How many public schools are located in Lake County?
5 public schools are located in Lake County.
What percentage of students in Lake County go to public school?
81% of all K-12 students in Lake County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lake County?
Lake County public schools minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.