For the 2025-26 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 2,157 students in Itasca County, MN.
The top ranked public middle schools in Itasca County, MN are Robert J. Elkington Middle School, Itaskin Education Center and Greenway Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Itasca County, MN public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Itasca County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle school average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Itasca County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Robert J. Elkington Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1000 Ne 8th Ave
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5800
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5800
Gr: 6-8 | 778 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Itaskin Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1880 River Rd
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 322-4129
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 322-4129
Gr: 4-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #33.
Greenway Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
308 Roosevelt Ave
Coleraine, MN 55722
(218) 245-1287
Coleraine, MN 55722
(218) 245-1287
Gr: 5-8 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #44.
Nashwauk Secondary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 2nd St
Nashwauk, MN 55769
(218) 885-1280
Nashwauk, MN 55769
(218) 885-1280
Gr: 7-12 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Deer River Secondary
(Math: 25% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
101 1st Ave Ne
Deer River, MN 56636
(218) 246-8241
Deer River, MN 56636
(218) 246-8241
Gr: 6-12 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #66.
Bigfork Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
100 Huskie Blvd
Bigfork, MN 56628
(218) 743-3444
Bigfork, MN 56628
(218) 743-3444
Gr: 7-12 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #77.
Northern Lights Community School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
305 Bridge St
Warba, MN 55793
(218) 492-4400
Warba, MN 55793
(218) 492-4400
Gr: 6-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Grand Rapids Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 Sw 7th St
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5750
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5750
Gr: 8-12 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Middle Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Ne 8th Ave
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5800
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5800
Gr: 5-8 | 26 students Minority enrollment: 39%
Itasca County 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
52156 State Highway 46
Squaw Lake, MN 56681
(218) 659-4254
Squaw Lake, MN 56681
(218) 659-4254
Gr: K-6 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
715 Nw 7th Ave
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5700
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5700
Gr: K-4
Grand Rapids L.e.a.d. Program Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
820 Nw 1st Avenue
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5706
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5706
Gr: K-5
Greenway Little School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
499 Powell
Marble, MN 55764
(218) 347-7306
Marble, MN 55764
(218) 347-7306
Gr: PK-6 | 6 students
47658 County Road 4
Talmoon, MN 56637
(218) 832-3621
Talmoon, MN 56637
(218) 832-3621
Gr: PK-6 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Northern Lakes Special Ed. Coop. (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
200 Cole St
Coleraine, MN 55722
(218) 245-3110
Coleraine, MN 55722
(218) 245-3110
Gr: K-12
Northland Educational Center (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
510 Se 13th St
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5705
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5705
Gr: 6-12
Box 40
Bovey, MN 55709
(218) 245-1199
Bovey, MN 55709
(218) 245-1199
Gr: PK-K | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Quad County Telecomm Project (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
1851 E. Hwy 169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-4705
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-4705
Quad County Vocational Project (Closed 2008)
Vocational School
1851 E Highway 169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-4705
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-4705
Success Program (Closed 2012)
Special Education School
800 Conifer Dr Nw
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5802
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-5802
Gr: 6-12
Virtual Itasca Academy Of Learning (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
308 Roosevelt Street
Coleraine, MN 55722
Coleraine, MN 55722
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Itasca County, MN?
The top ranked public middle schools in Itasca County, MN include Robert J. Elkington Middle School, Itaskin Education Center and Greenway Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Itasca County?
9 public middle schools are located in Itasca County.
What is the racial composition of students in Itasca County?
Itasca County public middle schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Minnesota public middle schools average of 38% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Itasca County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Itasca County include: Bigfork Secondary vs. Deer River Secondary, Greenway Middle School vs. Robert J. Elkington Middle School, Greenway Middle School vs. Northern Lights Community School
Recent Articles
COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.