Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Northfield

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
John C. Nutting HouseJohn C. Nutting House · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Northfield · Northfield Public School District

Northfield’s public schools outscore 88% of Minnesota districts

On the state math tests, 59% of Northfield’s students scored proficient, above the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Northfield, 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.

#46of 274 Minnesota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
59%
▲ 8 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
59%
▲ 14 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 10 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.7K
▼ 3% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.6
MN 14.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
9
3,742 students on the public path
In brief

Northfield’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 59% and math 59% 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 $16,659 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Northfield Middle, then Northfield Senior High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Arcadia Charter School and Northfield Montessori (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Northfield’s grade

A Test scoresA− Graduation

A: better than 88% of Minnesota school districts, #46 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Minnesota average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 88%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1574)Better than 92%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,900 test results and a graduating class of 317 could put Northfield anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Northfield’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,859 in math, 1,942 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Northfield, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
6–8Northfield MiddleNorthfield Public School DistrictA−
9–12Northfield Senior HighNorthfield Public School DistrictA−

Northfield’s public schools are run by Northfield Public School District, which also serves Bridgewater, Dennison, Dundas and Eureka 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.

Northfield Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 3,849 students, down 2% since 2021–22 · 15.6 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$16,659MN $17,091 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading59%
State average 51.1% · 1942 students tested
Math59%
State average 44.8% · 1859 students tested

Northfield vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Northfield’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NorthfieldANorthfield Public
BridgewaterANorthfield Public
Northfield Township—Northfield Public
Greenvale—Northfield Public
Waterford—Northfield Public
DundasANorthfield Public

All 5 neighbors share Northfield Public with Northfield, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Northfield

9 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).

District schools in Northfieldby address
Greenvale Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
488 students12:1Rate it →
Spring Creek Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
445 students12:1Rate it →
Northfield Community Education Cntr
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
117 students7:1Rate it →
Bridgewater Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
564 students14:1Rate it →
Northfield Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
845 students19:1Rate it →
Northfield Senior High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,283 students21:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Northfield Area Learning Center
High · Grades 6–12
D
Alternative Education
107 students19:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Arcadia Charter School
High · Grades 6–12
A−
Charter
116 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Northfield Montessori
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
133 studentsRate it →

Left off: 5 public programs with fewer than 25 students (School Readiness Plus, Big 9 Online Elementary, Big 9 Online Middle School, Big 9 Online High School and Out of State Care and Treatment).

Questions about Northfield’s schools

Are Northfield’s schools good?

By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Northfield children attend outscore 88% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #46 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Northfield in?

Northfield Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,849 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Northfield kids go to high school?

Northfield Senior High, with 1,283 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Northfield’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Northfield Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Northfield spend per student?

$16,659 in Northfield Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Northfield?

Yes: Northfield Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 133 students). Northfield also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Northfield families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Northfield → 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.