Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Public Schools
Minnesota is known for its strong commitment to education, boasting top-ranking public schools, nationally recognized universities, and a wide range of learning opportunities for students of all ages. In a study by U.S. News & World Report, Minnesota ranked No. 17 in pre-K-12 education, and No. 18 in higher education. These stats, paired with Minnesota’s rankings in other categories, places Minnesota at No. 4 among the best states overall.
While Minnesota continues to rank highly in terms of standardized test scores and college readiness, the state’s education system is also renowned for its dedication to creating diverse, welcoming communities for students of all backgrounds. So, whether looking into public education, private school options, online opportunities, or higher education pathways, Minnesota provides quality choices to help all students thrive.
Public Schools
Photo courtesy of Osseo Area Schools/Amy Anderson
Across the seven-county metro, the Twin Cities public school system encompasses more than 50 districts to accommodate upward of 820,000 students. Each of these districts and institutions showcases its dedication to providing the next generation with a well-rounded education—one based not only on academics but also on social and cultural inclusion.
Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), for example, emphasizes the importance of delivering a high-quality, culturally responsive education to every student. The district’s mission is to ensure all students, regardless of background or ZIP code, receive an education that prepares them for future success in whatever path they pursue. Likewise, St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS), one of the state’s largest and most diverse school districts, serves 33,000 students across St. Paul. With a strong focus on equity and personalized learning, SPPS offers a range of programs, including language immersion, alternative education, and more. The district is also known for its commitment to college and career readiness, providing students with opportunities to earn college credits and explore various career paths.
In the western suburbs, Wayzata Public Schools, Minnetonka Public School District, Eden Prairie Schools, and Edina Public School District rank highly for their college readiness, graduation rates, and teacher quality. When looking at athletics, Lakeville Public School District tops the charts for its number of sports offered and high levels of student participation. Meanwhile, Robbinsdale Area Schools is known for its prestigious fine arts education, with award-winning education programs in dance, music, media art, visual arts, and theater. Some of the region’s other largest and most diverse school districts include Anoka-Hennepin School District, Osseo Area Schools, and South Washington County Schools.
Charter Schools
Photo courtesy of Mounds Park Academy
Minnesota charter schools offer an alternative to a typical public education experience—one typically defined by smaller class sizes, more autonomy, and a specialized focus. A cross between public and private, charter schools receive funding from the state and operate under a contract, or “charter,” with an authorizer. This structure allows for more flexible curriculum, staffing, and general operations. Charter schools must be open to all students and cannot charge tuition or have any religious-affiliated curriculum. Currently, there are over 180 charter schools in operation throughout Minnesota.
The charter school system all began in 1992, when Minnesota made history by opening City Academy (7-12) in St. Paul, the first charter school in the U.S. The school is sponsored by St. Catherine University but operates independently. Some other highly rated charter schools include Math & Science Academy (6-12) in Woodbury, Nova Classical Academy (K-12) in St. Paul, Eagle Ridge Academy (K-12) in Minnetonka, and St. Croix Preparatory Academy (K-12) in Stillwater.
For arts, consider the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (9-12), where students are taught by current professional artists in disciplines ranging from music and theater to dance, visual art, and more. The Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts (9-12) in Eden Prairie is another great option for creatives looking to grow their artistic skills.
For parents who prefer a language immersion school for their children, Minnesota has a diverse range of options. Well-respected multilingual institutions include Lakes International Language Academy (K-12) in Forest Lake, L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School (pre-K-5) in St. Paul, Yinghua Academy (K-8) in Minneapolis, Twin Cities German Immersion School (K-8) in St. Paul, Sejong Academy Korean Immersion School (pre-K-12) in St. Paul, International Spanish Language Academy (K-5) in Edina, and Woodcrest Spanish Immersion School (K-4) in Fridley.
Private Schools
Photo courtesy of International School of Minnesota
Private schooling often affords students with smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, and alternative or creative teaching methods. Throughout the Twin Cities, there are traditional private schools, military prep schools, and specialty institutes to meet a variety of interests and needs. These institutions encompass Catholic and non-Catholic religious affiliations, as well as nonsectarian.
Some renowned Catholic private schools in the metro area include Cretin-Durham Hall (9-12) in St. Paul, Saint Thomas Academy (all-boys 6-12) in Mendota Heights, DeLaSalle High School (9-12) in Minneapolis, Visitation School (co-ed pre-K-5, all-girls 6-12) in Mendota Heights, Hill-Murray School (6-12) in Maplewood, Academy of Holy Angels (9-12) in Richfield, Providence Academy (pre-K-12) in Plymouth, Totino-Grace High School (9-12) in Fridley, and Benilde-St. Margaret’s (7-12) in St. Louis Park. For children pre-K-8, options include Ave Maria Academy (pre-K-8) in Maple Grove, Good Shepherd School (pre-K-6) in Golden Valley, and St. Jude of the Lake Catholic School (pre-K-8) in Mahtomedi.
Other non-Catholic religious-affiliated schools can also be found throughout the Twin Cities metro. Concordia Academy in Roseville, for instance, serves Lutheran high school students. Heritage Christian Academy in Maple Grove is a pre-K-12 Christian institution dedicated to leading learners in both academics and faith. Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis is also rooted in the Christian faith and has been repeatedly ranked as the No. 1 Christian high school in the state.
For parents looking to enroll their children in a non-religious private school, places like Mounds Park Academy (pre-K-12) in St. Paul, St. Paul Academy and Summit School (K-12) in St. Paul, Groves Academy (1-12) in St. Louis Park, Fusion Academy (6-12) in Edina, and The Blake School (pre-K-12) in Hopkins and Minneapolis offer top-tier academics, extracurricular programs, and plenty of growth opportunities for young learners.
Online Programs
Since the pandemic, online learning has become more of a norm in the Twin Cities education sector. This model allows students to enjoy flexibility, convenience, and easy access to educational resources. In Minnesota, there are over 50 online learning providers available to students—many of which are offered directly by local school districts or schools themselves. St. Paul Online Schools, for example, provides students grades 9-12 with personalized programming from St. Paul Public School educators. Other local districts like Shakopee Public Schools, Owatonna Public Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools, Lakeville Area Schools, Eden Prairie Schools, and more have similar offerings—ensuring students across the state have virtual learning resources available at their fingertips.
Colleges & Universities
Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota/Eric Miller
The Twin Cities’ plethora of higher education and career opportunities attracts students from across the globe, with 50-plus postsecondary institutions in the metro alone. In Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, referred to by locals as “The U,” stands as a leading public research institution, renowned for its contributions across various disciplines. The Twin Cities campus serves more than 50,000 students and offers over 1,000 student organizations. While large in terms of student population and geographic area, the campus maintains a tight-knit college feel. The university ranked No. 23 on U.S. News & World Report’s “Top Public Schools” list for 2025. Founded in 1888, the medical school is a leader in medical research and education, with more than 20 research centers and institutes dedicated to subjects ranging from microbiology and immunology to pharmacology, neuroscience, and more. The law school boasts a 94% bar passage rate and 97% employment rate, while its acclaimed business school, Carlson School of Management, is known for having one of the best undergraduate business programs in the country.
The U is spread across five campuses throughout the state—each with its own unique atmosphere and offerings. Other popular state schools include Minnesota State University–Mankato, St. Cloud State University, Bemidji State University, and Winona State University.
For those who prefer a smaller campus, the 18 private nonprofit colleges within the Minnesota Private College Council might be a good fit. In St. Paul and Minneapolis, Augsburg University, Hamline University, Macalester College, St. Catherine University, and University of St. Thomas make up the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC), allowing students to register for exchange courses at other institutions within the system. Courses taken through ACTC are not considered transfer courses, and therefore count toward senior residency requirements. There’s also Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, which leads its students with core values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith; Carleton College in Northfield, ranked the eighth-best liberal art college by U.S. News & World Report; and St. Olaf College in Northfield, known for its prestigious student music organizations. Other Minnesota Private College Council schools include Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Bethel University in St. Paul, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Collegeville, The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Concordia College in Moorhead, Concordia University in St. Paul, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and University of Northwestern in St. Paul.
My Twin Cities: Tracy Byrd
English Language Arts, Washburn High School; 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
How long have you lived in the Twin Cities?
I was born and raised in Minnesota. I am a product of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS). I have seen five decades of education cycles go through Minneapolis.
What do you think sets Minnesota’s teachers and students apart?
Having been a part of a few school districts, I would say the unapologetic high standards placed on students and us as educators is one factor setting us apart. We [also] encourage our students to step into their greatness—building capacity to achieve versus building a dependency on excuses.
In your opinion, what is the biggest strength of the Twin Cities’ public school system?
First, we have found a way to keep a lot of our students in their home district. Another strength of MPS is the way we fight for one another. We live out what Paul Wellstone believed when he said, “We all do better when we all do better.” Our educators create ways to empower our students to feel comfortable and strive for more. Our teaching superpower is creating an environment where students push into the messy parts of learning and work their way to the other side.
What can we learn from the next generation of local professionals and leaders?
I have spoken to a lot of new teachers, and I feel the profession is in great hands. The next generation of teachers is eager and willing to take on the challenges this job provides on a daily basis. I have noticed these local professionals and leaders exude confidence and demonstrate a way to connect with today’s students.
Anything else you’d like to mention about the education sector of the Twin Cities?
The Twin Cities education sector is reflective, progressive, and inclusive. Our educators meet our students where they are and devise pathways to move them forward. Finding out what makes the students comfortable is good to know. However, the next step is creating resilience within the students that can be drawn on later in life. Our teachers are proficient at adding skills to the toolboxes of our students.
