Cass County Schools & Education
Cass County, Minnesota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
43/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
73.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
73.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,603
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
43/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#72
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Cass County
School Verdict
Cass County has average school quality (score: 43/100) with a graduation rate of 73.4%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Cass County spends $9,603 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Cass County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 22% below the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 13.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 13% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Cass County, Minnesota
Rural Education Across Cass County
Cass County operates 18 public schools within 7 districts, providing education for 4,433 students. The system is comprised of 5 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 9 high schools.
High Investment in Student Success
The county invests $9,603 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the state average of $8,463. While the graduation rate currently sits at 73.4%, the high per-pupil spending reflects a commitment to improving local educational outcomes.
Pillager and Cass Lake-Bena Highlights
The Pillager Public School District is the largest in the county, serving 1,245 students. One charter school provides an alternative option, making up about 5.6% of the county's total school inventory.
A Purely Rural Schooling Experience
All 18 schools in the county are situated in rural locales, offering a consistent environment for all students. The average school size is small at 261 students, with Pillager Elementary being one of the largest hubs at 478 students.
Find Your Home in a Quiet District
Families seeking small school sizes and high per-pupil investment will find Cass County appealing. Look for homes in the Pillager or Pine River-Backus districts to enjoy a close-knit rural educational community.
School Overview
Total Schools
18
in Cass County
Total Enrollment
4,433
students
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
1
6% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
7 School Districts in Cass County
PILLAGER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SCHL. DIST
NORTHLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
PILLAGER AREA CHARTER SCHOOL
Up North Learning Center
18 Public Schools in Cass County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASS LAKE-BENA ELEMENTARY | CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–4 | Primary | 478 |
| PILLAGER ELEMENTARY | PILLAGER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 478 |
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS ELEMENTARY | PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 477 |
| W.H.A. ELEMENTARY | WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SCHL. DIST | PK–6 | Primary | 416 |
| Pillager Middle School | PILLAGER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 407 |
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL | PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 377 |
| Pillager Senior High School | PILLAGER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 360 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. | WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SCHL. DIST | 7–12 | High | 320 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA MIDDLE SCHOOL | CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 5–8 | Middle | 305 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY | CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 256 |
| Northland Elementary | NORTHLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 197 |
| NORTHLAND SECONDARY | NORTHLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 157 |
| CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LRNG. CNTR. | CASS LAKE-BENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–12 | Alternative | 99 |
| Pine River-Backus ALP | PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 49 |
| PILLAGER AREA CHARTER SCHOOL | PILLAGER AREA CHARTER SCHOOL | 7–12 | Charter | 38 |
| Up North Learning Center | Up North Learning Center | KG–12 | Special Education | 11 |
| LITTLE SAND | NORTHLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | 7–12 | Alternative | 8 |
| Pine River-Backus Midlevel ALP | PINE RIVER-BACKUS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–8 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,603
State avg $8,463
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Cass County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Cass County?
How much does Cass County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cass County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cass County, Minnesota?
Cass County operates 18 public schools within 7 districts, providing education for 4,433 students. The system is comprised of 5 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 9 high schools.
How do schools in Cass County perform academically?
The county invests $9,603 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the state average of $8,463. While the graduation rate currently sits at 73.4%, the high per-pupil spending reflects a commitment to improving local educational outcomes.
What are the major school districts in Cass County, Minnesota?
The Pillager Public School District is the largest in the county, serving 1,245 students. One charter school provides an alternative option, making up about 5.6% of the county's total school inventory.
What is the school experience like in Cass County?
All 18 schools in the county are situated in rural locales, offering a consistent environment for all students. The average school size is small at 261 students, with Pillager Elementary being one of the largest hubs at 478 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Cass County, Minnesota?
Families seeking small school sizes and high per-pupil investment will find Cass County appealing. Look for homes in the Pillager or Pine River-Backus districts to enjoy a close-knit rural educational community.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.