Pennington County Schools & Education
Pennington County, Minnesota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
38/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
85.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
85.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,350
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
38/100
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
#80
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Pennington County
School Verdict
Pennington County faces educational challenges with a school score of 38/100 and a graduation rate of 85.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,350 per pupil, Pennington County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Pennington County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 32% below the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 13% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Pennington County, Minnesota
Pennington's Two-District Education Network
Pennington County manages a compact education system consisting of 7 public schools serving 2,069 students. The infrastructure is primarily concentrated in two districts, featuring four high schools, two elementary schools, and one middle school.
Graduation Rates Near State Averages
The county reports an 85.9% graduation rate, which sits just below the Minnesota state average of 86.6% and the national 87% benchmark. Local per-pupil spending of $7,350 is more conservative than the state average of $8,463 and significantly lower than the national $13,000 median.
Thief River Falls Leads Local Enrollment
The Thief River Falls School District is the county's primary provider, educating 1,806 students across five schools. The remaining 263 students are served by the Goodridge Public School District, and there are currently no charter schools operating in the county.
A Mix of Town and Rural Settings
Schooling here split between four town-based facilities and three rural locations, with an average school size of 345 students. Challenger Elementary is the largest campus with 783 students, while Goodridge Secondary offers a more intimate setting with just 114 students.
Living Near Pennington Schools
Families looking for a community-focused education experience should explore housing options near the Thief River Falls or Goodridge districts. Local school quality remains a stable factor for those investing in this northern Minnesota region.
School Overview
Total Schools
7
in Pennington County
Total Enrollment
2,069
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Pennington County
THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
GOODRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
7 Public Schools in Pennington County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHALLENGER ELEMENTARY | THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 783 |
| LINCOLN SENIOR HIGH | THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 570 |
| FRANKLIN MIDDLE | THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 421 |
| GOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY | GOODRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 149 |
| GOODRIDGE SECONDARY | GOODRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 114 |
| NORTHWEST AREA LEARNING CENTER | THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 32 |
| Summer NW Area Learning Center | THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,350
State avg $8,463
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Pennington County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Pennington County?
How much does Pennington County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pennington County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pennington County, Minnesota?
Pennington County manages a compact education system consisting of 7 public schools serving 2,069 students. The infrastructure is primarily concentrated in two districts, featuring four high schools, two elementary schools, and one middle school.
How do schools in Pennington County perform academically?
The county reports an 85.9% graduation rate, which sits just below the Minnesota state average of 86.6% and the national 87% benchmark. Local per-pupil spending of $7,350 is more conservative than the state average of $8,463 and significantly lower than the national $13,000 median.
What are the major school districts in Pennington County, Minnesota?
The Thief River Falls School District is the county's primary provider, educating 1,806 students across five schools. The remaining 263 students are served by the Goodridge Public School District, and there are currently no charter schools operating in the county.
What is the school experience like in Pennington County?
Schooling here split between four town-based facilities and three rural locations, with an average school size of 345 students. Challenger Elementary is the largest campus with 783 students, while Goodridge Secondary offers a more intimate setting with just 114 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pennington County, Minnesota?
Families looking for a community-focused education experience should explore housing options near the Thief River Falls or Goodridge districts. Local school quality remains a stable factor for those investing in this northern Minnesota region.
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.