Buffalo’s public schools outscore 81% of Minnesota districts
55% of students in Buffalo’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buffalo, 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 94% 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.
Buffalo’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 55% 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 $14,796 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Buffalo Community Middle, then Buffalo Senior High. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Terra Nova School and St. Francis Xavier Elementary School (private) are in town. 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 Buffalo’s grade
A−: better than 81% of Minnesota school districts, #79 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 Buffalo, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Buffalo
Buffalo Community Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,160 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Buffalo
Buffalo Community Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,160 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Buffalo
Buffalo Community Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,160 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Buffalo
Buffalo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,681 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Buffalo
Buffalo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,681 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Buffalo
Buffalo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,681 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Buffalo
Buffalo Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 1,681 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Buffalo’s public schools are run by Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools, which also serves Buffalo, Chatham, Corcoran and Hanover and others. 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
Buffalo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Buffalo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | A− | Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose |
| Chatham | A− | Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose PK–12 · Maple Lake Public PK–12 |
| Rockford | A− | Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose |
| Maple Lake | — | Maple Lake Public |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose with Buffalo, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Buffalo
12 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: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Wright Technical Center, Wright Technical Center ALC Middle, Eastern Wright Program, Cornerstones Program, Pride Transitions and Bison Online).
Questions about Buffalo’s schools
Are Buffalo’s schools good?
By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Buffalo children attend outscore 81% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #79 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 84%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Buffalo in?
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,175 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Buffalo kids go to high school?
Buffalo Senior High, with 1,681 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Buffalo’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Buffalo spend per student?
$14,796 in Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Buffalo?
Yes: St. Francis Xavier Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 290 students). Buffalo also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Buffalo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buffalo → 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.