Pine County Schools & Education
Pine County, Minnesota
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
44/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
80.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
80.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,847
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
44/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 55/100
State Score Position
#70
of 87 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Pine County
Measured School Summary
Pine County has midrange measured school signals (score: 44/100) with a graduation rate of 80.0%, which warrants review in official state and district records.
Funding Context
Pine County spends $8,847 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 21% below the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 6.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Pine County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
17 public schools and 4 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
44/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #70 of 87 Minnesota counties with school score data.
Completion
80.0%
6.6 pts below the state average
Funding context
$8,847
$384 above the state average
School coverage
17
4 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Pine County has 17 public schools across 4 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Pine County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Mixed school landscape
Pine County has enough school-level records to compare the local mix, but no single county metric should be treated as the answer. Use district shape, grade span, and data coverage together.
State position
#70
of 87 Minnesota counties with school score data. The county score is 11 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Elementary and high visible
1,586 students
4 listed schools in this county slice.
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Elementary and high visible
1,010 students
5 listed schools in this county slice.
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Elementary and high visible
777 students
4 listed schools in this county slice.
WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Elementary and high visible
413 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT is the largest listed district slice, with 5 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Pine County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Pine County district systems?
Where do students transition after the visible grade band, and is that next school inside the same district path?
If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Pine County, Minnesota
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Broad Reach Across Seventeen Pine County Schools
Pine County supports 3,817 students across 17 public schools, including nine high schools and six elementary schools. This network is organized into four distinct districts that serve a predominantly rural population.
Strong Investment Despite Graduation Challenges
The county invests $8,847 per pupil, which exceeds the Minnesota state average of $8,463. However, the graduation rate of 80.0% trails the state average of 86.6%, suggesting a need for continued focus on student retention and completion.
Pine City Public Schools Drive Enrollment
The Pine City Public School District is the largest in the area, serving 1,586 students across four schools. Other significant districts include Hinckley-Finlayson and East Central, which together manage nine of the county's seventeen campuses.
Rural Identity with Specialized Facilities
With 13 of 17 schools located in rural settings, the average school size stays relatively small at 254 students. While Pine City Elementary hosts 840 students, the county also maintains three alternative schools and three special education facilities to meet diverse needs.
School Overview
Total Schools
17
in Pine County
Reported Enrollment
3,817
17 schools reporting
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
4 School Districts in Pine County
PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
17 Public Schools in Pine County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 17 of 17 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PINE CITY ELEMENTARY | Record | PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PINE CITY, 55063Town: Remote | PK–6 | Primary | 840 |
| PINE CITY SECONDARY | Record | PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PINE CITY, 55063Rural: Fringe | 7–12 | High | 701 |
| HINCKLEY ELEMENTARY | Record | HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT | HINCKLEY, 55037Rural: Remote | PK–6 | Primary | 493 |
| HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SECONDARY | Record | HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT | HINCKLEY, 55037Rural: Remote | 7–12 | High | 448 |
| EAST CENTRAL ELEMENTARY | Record | EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | FINLAYSON, 55735Rural: Remote | PK–6 | Primary | 400 |
| EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY | Record | EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | FINLAYSON, 55735Rural: Remote | 7–12 | High | 323 |
| WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY | Record | WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | WILLOW RIVER, 55795Rural: Distant | PK–6 | Primary | 218 |
| WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY | Record | WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | WILLOW RIVER, 55795Rural: Distant | 7–12 | High | 195 |
| CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER | Record | EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | FINLAYSON, 55735Rural: Remote | 7–12 | Alternative | 54 |
| FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY | Record | HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT | FINLAYSON, 55735Rural: Remote | PK–6 | Primary | 52 |
| PINE CITY AREA LEARNING CENTER | Record | PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PINE CITY, 55063Town: Remote | 9–12 | Alternative | 36 |
| Vision | Record | ST. CROIX RIVER EDUCATION DISTRICT | PINE CITY, 55063Town: Remote | KG–12 | Special Education | 20 |
| Empower Learning Center | Record | HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT | HINCKLEY, 55037Rural: Remote | 10–12 | Alternative | 17 |
| Pine County Transition Program | Record | ST. CROIX RIVER EDUCATION DISTRICT | HINCKLEY, 55037Rural: Remote | 9–12 | Special Education | 11 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD | Record | PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PINE CITY, 55063Town: Remote | PK | Other | 9 |
| East Central Early Childhood | Record | EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | FINLAYSON, 55735Rural: Remote | PK–KG | Primary | 0 |
| Pine County Transition Program | Record | HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT | HINCKLEY, 55037Rural: Remote | 12 | Special Education | 0 |
PINE CITY ELEMENTARY
PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PINE CITY, 55063 / Town: Remote
PINE CITY SECONDARY
PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PINE CITY, 55063 / Rural: Fringe
HINCKLEY ELEMENTARY
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
HINCKLEY, 55037 / Rural: Remote
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SECONDARY
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
HINCKLEY, 55037 / Rural: Remote
EAST CENTRAL ELEMENTARY
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
FINLAYSON, 55735 / Rural: Remote
EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
FINLAYSON, 55735 / Rural: Remote
WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY
WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
WILLOW RIVER, 55795 / Rural: Distant
WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY
WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
WILLOW RIVER, 55795 / Rural: Distant
CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
FINLAYSON, 55735 / Rural: Remote
FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
FINLAYSON, 55735 / Rural: Remote
PINE CITY AREA LEARNING CENTER
PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PINE CITY, 55063 / Town: Remote
Vision
ST. CROIX RIVER EDUCATION DISTRICT
PINE CITY, 55063 / Town: Remote
Empower Learning Center
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
HINCKLEY, 55037 / Rural: Remote
Pine County Transition Program
ST. CROIX RIVER EDUCATION DISTRICT
HINCKLEY, 55037 / Rural: Remote
EARLY CHILDHOOD
PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
PINE CITY, 55063 / Town: Remote
East Central Early Childhood
EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
FINLAYSON, 55735 / Rural: Remote
Pine County Transition Program
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
HINCKLEY, 55037 / Rural: Remote
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,847
State avg $8,463
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Pine County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Minnesota counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Minnesota?
How should I read the school score in Pine County?
What is the graduation rate in Pine County?
How much does Pine County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pine County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pine County, Minnesota?
Pine County supports 3,817 students across 17 public schools, including nine high schools and six elementary schools. This network is organized into four distinct districts that serve a predominantly rural population.
How do schools in Pine County perform academically?
The county invests $8,847 per pupil, which exceeds the Minnesota state average of $8,463. However, the graduation rate of 80.0% trails the state average of 86.6%, suggesting a need for continued focus on student retention and completion.
What are the major school districts in Pine County, Minnesota?
The Pine City Public School District is the largest in the area, serving 1,586 students across four schools. Other significant districts include Hinckley-Finlayson and East Central, which together manage nine of the county's seventeen campuses.
What is the school experience like in Pine County?
With 13 of 17 schools located in rural settings, the average school size stays relatively small at 254 students. While Pine City Elementary hosts 840 students, the county also maintains three alternative schools and three special education facilities to meet diverse needs.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.