Otter Tail County Schools & Education
Otter Tail County, Minnesota
School Score
34/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
81.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
81.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,627
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
34/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
State School Rank
#87
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Explore Otter Tail County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Vast School Network in Lake Country
Otter Tail County manages 33 public schools serving a large student body of 8,224. The infrastructure is spread across nine districts, featuring 12 elementary schools and 13 high schools to support its wide geographic area.
Steady Progress Across the County
The county reports an 81.5% graduation rate and a school composite score of 50.4. While per-pupil spending of $7,627 is lower than the state average, the districts provide a reliable foundation for thousands of students.
Fergus Falls and Perham Lead the Way
Fergus Falls Public School District is the largest, with 2,938 students and 10 schools. Perham-Dent Public School District also plays a major role with 1,632 students, and currently, no charter schools operate within the county.
A Perfect Mix of Town and Rural Schools
The county is evenly split between 17 town and 16 rural schools, maintaining an average enrollment of 284 students. Kennedy Middle School in Fergus Falls is the largest facility, hosting 769 students in a modern town setting.
Find Your Home in Fergus Falls or Perham
Home buyers in Otter Tail County benefit from established school districts that are deeply integrated into the local towns. Explore properties in Fergus Falls for the widest range of school levels and extracurricular opportunities.
School Overview
Total Schools
33
in Otter Tail County
Total Enrollment
8,224
students
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
9 School Districts in Otter Tail County
FERGUS FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Pelican Rapids Public Schools
NEW YORK MILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.
UNDERWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PARKERS PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST.
BATTLE LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
HENNING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
FERGUS FALLS AREA SP. ED. COOP.
33 Public Schools in Otter Tail County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Middle School | FERGUS FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 769 |
| Kennedy High School | FERGUS FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 685 |
| HEART OF THE LAKE ELEMENTARY | PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 575 |
| PRAIRIE WIND MIDDLE | PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 515 |
| PERHAM SENIOR HIGH | PERHAM-DENT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 505 |
| VIKING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Pelican Rapids Public Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 460 |
| NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY | NEW YORK MILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. | PK–6 | Primary | 443 |
| PELICAN RAPIDS SECONDARY | Pelican Rapids Public Schools | 7–12 | High | 405 |
| CLEVELAND ELEMENTARY | FERGUS FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 2–4 | Primary | 369 |
| NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY | NEW YORK MILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. | 7–12 | High | 340 |
| UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY | UNDERWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 289 |
| PARKERS PRAIRIE SECONDARY | PARKERS PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. | 7–12 | High | 285 |
| ADAMS ELEMENTARY | FERGUS FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 1–2 | Primary | 281 |
| UNDERWOOD SECONDARY | UNDERWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–12 | High | 279 |
| PARKERS PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY | PARKERS PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. | PK–6 | Primary | 256 |
| MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY | FERGUS FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–1 | Primary | 242 |
| iQ Academy 9-12 | FERGUS FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 242 |
| BATTLE LAKE ELEMENTARY | BATTLE LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–6 | Primary | 224 |
| HENNING ELEMENTARY | HENNING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 224 |
| BATTLE LAKE SECONDARY | BATTLE LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 189 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,627
State avg $8,463
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Otter Tail County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Otter Tail County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Otter Tail County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Otter Tail County, Minnesota?
Otter Tail County manages 33 public schools serving a large student body of 8,224. The infrastructure is spread across nine districts, featuring 12 elementary schools and 13 high schools to support its wide geographic area.
How do schools in Otter Tail County perform academically?
The county reports an 81.5% graduation rate and a school composite score of 50.4. While per-pupil spending of $7,627 is lower than the state average, the districts provide a reliable foundation for thousands of students.
What are the major school districts in Otter Tail County, Minnesota?
Fergus Falls Public School District is the largest, with 2,938 students and 10 schools. Perham-Dent Public School District also plays a major role with 1,632 students, and currently, no charter schools operate within the county.
What is the school experience like in Otter Tail County?
The county is evenly split between 17 town and 16 rural schools, maintaining an average enrollment of 284 students. Kennedy Middle School in Fergus Falls is the largest facility, hosting 769 students in a modern town setting.
How can I find homes near good schools in Otter Tail County, Minnesota?
Home buyers in Otter Tail County benefit from established school districts that are deeply integrated into the local towns. Explore properties in Fergus Falls for the widest range of school levels and extracurricular opportunities.
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.