Pope County Schools & Education

Pope County, Minnesota

School Score

74/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

Graduation Rate

92.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

92.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 86.6%

Per-Pupil Spending

$9,258

National avg $13,239

State avg $8,463

School Score

74/100

Higher = better

State avg 55/100

State School Rank

#9

of 87 counties (1 = best)

Education Overview

About Schools in Pope County, Minnesota

Small Population, High-Quality Schools

Pope County maintains eight public schools serving ,1440 students across two primary districts. The landscape includes two elementary, two middle, and two high schools, alongside one charter school option.

Stellar Graduation Rates and High Scores

Pope County excels with a 92.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 86.6% and the national average of 87%. The county also outspends the state average, investing $9,258 per pupil to achieve an impressive school score of 59.5.

Minnewaska District Dominates Local Enrollment

The Minnewaska School District educates the vast majority of local students with 1,347 enrollees across seven schools. Glacial Hills Elementary serves as the county's lone charter school, representing 12.5% of the total school inventory.

Purely Rural Schooling Experience

All eight schools in Pope County are classified as rural, creating a close-knit environment where the average school size is 206 students. Minnewaska Secondary is the largest campus with 399 students, while the local charter school serves just 93 children.

Settle Near Elite Public Schools

With some of the highest graduation rates in the state, Pope County is a premier choice for families looking to buy a home. The Minnewaska area provides a high-performing rural education that is difficult to match in larger urban centers.

School Overview

Total Schools

8

in Pope County

Total Enrollment

1,440

students

School Districts

2

districts

Charter Schools

1

13% of total

School Type Breakdown

Elementary2
Middle2
High2
Other2

2 School Districts in Pope County

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

7 schools
1,347 students

GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY

1 school
93 students

8 Public Schools in Pope County

MINNEWASKA SECONDARY

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–12High399 students
MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–3Primary351 students
Minnewaska Area Intermediate School

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

4–6Middle292 students
MINNEWASKA AREA JUNIOR HIGH

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–8Middle219 students
GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY

GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY

PK–6Charter93 students
MINNEWASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD SP.ED.

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

PKSpecial Education44 students
Minnewaska Area WIN Academy

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–12Alternative42 students
MINNEWASKA SECONDARY ALTERNATIVE PG

MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT

9–12Alternative0 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$9,258

State avg $8,463

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Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Pope County, Minnesota — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Pope County, Minnesota?

Pope County maintains eight public schools serving ,1440 students across two primary districts. The landscape includes two elementary, two middle, and two high schools, alongside one charter school option.

How do schools in Pope County perform academically?

Pope County excels with a 92.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 86.6% and the national average of 87%. The county also outspends the state average, investing $9,258 per pupil to achieve an impressive school score of 59.5.

What are the major school districts in Pope County, Minnesota?

The Minnewaska School District educates the vast majority of local students with 1,347 enrollees across seven schools. Glacial Hills Elementary serves as the county's lone charter school, representing 12.5% of the total school inventory.

What is the school experience like in Pope County?

All eight schools in Pope County are classified as rural, creating a close-knit environment where the average school size is 206 students. Minnewaska Secondary is the largest campus with 399 students, while the local charter school serves just 93 children.

How can I find homes near good schools in Pope County, Minnesota?

With some of the highest graduation rates in the state, Pope County is a premier choice for families looking to buy a home. The Minnewaska area provides a high-performing rural education that is difficult to match in larger urban centers.

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.