Photo: Tony Webster from San Francisco, California · CC BY-SA 2.0Duluth’s public schools outscore 51% of Minnesota districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Duluth, 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 100% 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.
Duluth’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1183 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Duluth’s, its schools beat 46%, lower than their 51% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 45% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 75% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,562 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
North Star Academy, Raleigh Primary/El Academy, Harbor City International Charter, Stella Maris Academy (private), Stella Maris Academy St. Johns Campus (private), Lakeview Christian Academy (private), Many Rivers Montessori (private), Montessori School of Duluth (private) and Stone Ridge Christian School (private) are in town. Academic Excellence Online, 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 Duluth’s grade
B−: better than 51% of Minnesota school districts, #205 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores are above the Minnesota average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Duluth, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Duluth · depends on your address
Ordean East Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,037 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Park Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 606 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Duluth · depends on your address
Ordean East Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,037 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Park Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 606 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Duluth · depends on your address
Ordean East Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,037 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Park Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 606 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Duluth · depends on your address
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,495 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Denfeld High School
Grades 9–12 · 951 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Duluth · depends on your address
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,495 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Denfeld High School
Grades 9–12 · 951 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Duluth · depends on your address
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,495 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Denfeld High School
Grades 9–12 · 951 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Duluth · depends on your address
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,495 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Denfeld High School
Grades 9–12 · 951 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Duluth’s public schools are run by Duluth Public School District, which also serves Gnesen, Lakewood, Normanna and North Star and others. Parts of Duluth (10% of its land) are served by Proctor 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
Duluth vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Duluth’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth | B− | Duluth Public |
| Hermantown | A | Hermantown Public |
| Rice Lake | B− | Duluth Public |
| Midway | B+ | Proctor Public |
| Proctor | B+ | Proctor Public |
| Lakewood | B− | Duluth Public |
| Twin Lakes | C+ | Carlton Public |
| Canosia | A− | Proctor Public PK–12 · Hermantown Public PK–12 |
2 of the 7 neighbors share Duluth Public with Duluth, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Oliver, WI and Superior, WI border Duluth but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Duluth
35 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Arrowhead Academy, Bethany Crisis Shelter and Superior Academy).
Questions about Duluth’s schools
Are Duluth’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Minnesota: the public schools Duluth children attend outscore 51% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #205 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 46%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Duluth in?
Duluth Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,723 students in 30 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Duluth are served by Proctor Public.
Where do Duluth kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: East High School and Denfeld High School.
What is Duluth’s graduation rate?
75% of the class of 2023 in Duluth Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Duluth spend per student?
$16,562 in Duluth Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Duluth?
Yes: Stella Maris Academy (Catholic, grades PK–10, 643 students), Stella Maris Academy St. Johns Campus (Catholic, grades PK–10, 641 students), Lakeview Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 255 students), Many Rivers Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 199 students), Montessori School of Duluth (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 29 students) and Stone Ridge Christian School (religious, grades 4–8, 6 students). Duluth also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Duluth families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Duluth → 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.