Photo: KAM32296 · CC BY-SA 4.0Big Lake’s public schools outscore 75% of Minnesota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Big Lake, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.
From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Big Lake’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1004 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Big Lake’s, its schools beat 68%, lower than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,099 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Independence Elementary, then Big Lake Middle School, then Big Lake Senior High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Big Lake Online 6-12, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Big Lake’s grade
A−: better than 75% of Minnesota school districts, #111 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Minnesota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Lake, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Big Lake
Liberty Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 756 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Big Lake
Liberty Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 756 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Big Lake
Liberty Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 756 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Big Lake
Independence Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 758 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Big Lake
Independence Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 758 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Big Lake
Independence Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 758 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 632 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 632 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 632 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 902 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 902 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 902 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Big Lake
Big Lake Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 902 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Big Lake’s public schools are run by Big Lake Public School District, which also serves Big Lake and Orrock. Parts of Big Lake (4% of its land) are served by Monticello Public instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Big Lake vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Big Lake’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Big Lake | A− | Big Lake Public |
Every school in Big Lake
5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Big Lake Online K-5).
Questions about Big Lake’s schools
Are Big Lake’s schools good?
By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Big Lake children attend outscore 75% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #111 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Big Lake in?
Big Lake Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,190 students in 6 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Big Lake are served by Monticello Public.
Where do Big Lake kids go to high school?
Big Lake Senior High, with 902 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Big Lake’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Big Lake Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Big Lake spend per student?
$14,099 in Big Lake Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Big Lake families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Lake → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.