Top Rankings
Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 2,797 students in Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Minnesota.
51±¬ÁÏs in Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
12 Schools
2,732 Schools
# Students
2,797 Students
870,790 Students
# Teachers
189 Teachers
57,779 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 87% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#133 out of 525 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
41%
Graduation Rate
82%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.43
0.59
% American Indian
17%
2%
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
3%
12%
% Black
2%
12%
% White
73%
61%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,686 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,911 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$47 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$67 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,686
$17,854
Spending / Student
$23,911
$18,580
Best Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District 51±¬ÁÏs (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Detroit Lakes Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 Roosevelt Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4491
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4491
Gr: 9-12 | 851 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Rossman Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1221 Rossman Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9268
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9268
Gr: PK-5 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
510 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-1106
Gr: PK-5 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #44.
Detroit Lakes Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Gr: 6-8 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #55.
Detroit Lakes Middle Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
500 11th Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-9228
Gr: 6-8
Rank: #66.
Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Detroit Lakes Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
900 Highway 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Afterschool Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
702 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4761
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4761
Gr: 9-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
High School Extended Year Program
Alternative School
702 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Laker Transitions
Special Education School
1104 West River Road
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4760
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-4760
Gr: 12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
204 E Willlow
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 847-4418
Gr: PK | 75 students Minority enrollment: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District?
Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District manages 12 public schools serving 2,797 students.
What is the rank of Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District?
Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District is ranked #137 out of 520 school districts in Minnesota (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Minnesota school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District?
73% of Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District students are White, 17% of students are American Indian, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District?
Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 15:1.
What is Detroit Lakes 51±¬ÁÏ District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $23,911 is higher than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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