Rice County Schools & Education
Rice County, Minnesota
School Score
49/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
81.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
81.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,922
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
49/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
State School Rank
#52
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Explore Rice County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Rice County, Minnesota
Diverse Districts Serving Rice County Students
Rice County features a robust educational system with 36 public schools spread across 10 different districts. The landscape includes 11 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 11 high schools, supporting a total of 8,395 students. The county also offers a specialized mix of alternative and special education facilities.
Investment and Academic Growth Potential
Local schools invest $9,922 per student, which is higher than the Minnesota average of $8,463 but below the national $13,000 benchmark. The current graduation rate of 81.1% trails the state average of 86.6%, indicating a focus area for local districts. However, the county maintains a respectable school score of 55.2, keeping it competitive with state peers.
Northfield and Faribault Lead the Way
The Northfield Public School District and Faribault Public School District are the primary providers, serving 3,857 and 3,312 students respectively. Charter schools play a notable role here, with 4 institutions representing 11.1% of the total school count. These options provide families with a variety of pedagogical approaches within the public system.
A Blend of Town and Rural Learning
The county's schools are primarily located in 'Town' settings, with 27 schools fitting this description and 9 classified as rural. Northfield Senior High is the largest school with 1,246 students, offering a traditional large-campus experience. Conversely, the average school size across the county is 262 students, ensuring many smaller learning environments exist.
Relocate to a Dynamic Education Hub
Rice County offers a unique mix of large high-performing high schools and innovative charter options. For buyers prioritizing education, the Northfield and Faribault areas provide diverse housing near major school campuses. Start your home search here to join a community that heavily invests in its public education infrastructure.
School Overview
Total Schools
36
in Rice County
Total Enrollment
8,395
students
School Districts
10
districts
Charter Schools
4
11% of total
School Type Breakdown
10 School Districts in Rice County
NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
WATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWN
CANNON RIVER STEM SCHOOL
ARCADIA CHARTER SCHOOL
MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIES
NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL
Cannon Valley Special Education Coo
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Discovery Public School - Faribault
36 Public Schools in Rice County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHFIELD SENIOR HIGH | NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,246 |
| FARIBAULT SENIOR HIGH | FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 981 |
| NORTHFIELD MIDDLE | NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 846 |
| FARIBAULT MIDDLE | FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 717 |
| BRIDGEWATER ELEMENTARY | NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 527 |
| GREENVALE PARK ELEMENTARY | NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 496 |
| Spring Creek Elementary | NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 462 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY | FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 458 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY | FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–5 | Primary | 445 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY | FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 425 |
| LONSDALE PRE K-6 | TRI-CITY UNITED SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 305 |
| CANNON RIVER STEM SCHOOL | CANNON RIVER STEM SCHOOL | KG–8 | Charter | 220 |
| NORTHFIELD AREA LEARNING CENTER | NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–12 | Alternative | 124 |
| WATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWN JR. | WATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWN | 7–8 | Middle | 122 |
| FARIBAULT AREA LEARNING CENTER | FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 120 |
| ARCADIA CHARTER SCHOOL | ARCADIA CHARTER SCHOOL | 6–12 | Charter | 115 |
| MORRISTOWN ELEMENTARY | WATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWN | 5–6 | Middle | 112 |
| NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL | NERSTRAND CHARTER SCHOOL | KG–5 | Charter | 101 |
| Northfield Community Education Cntr | NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK | Other | 88 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION | FARIBAULT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK | Special Education | 80 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,922
State avg $8,463
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Rice County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Rice County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Rice County, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Rice County, Minnesota?
Rice County features a robust educational system with 36 public schools spread across 10 different districts. The landscape includes 11 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 11 high schools, supporting a total of 8,395 students. The county also offers a specialized mix of alternative and special education facilities.
How do schools in Rice County perform academically?
Local schools invest $9,922 per student, which is higher than the Minnesota average of $8,463 but below the national $13,000 benchmark. The current graduation rate of 81.1% trails the state average of 86.6%, indicating a focus area for local districts. However, the county maintains a respectable school score of 55.2, keeping it competitive with state peers.
What are the major school districts in Rice County, Minnesota?
The Northfield Public School District and Faribault Public School District are the primary providers, serving 3,857 and 3,312 students respectively. Charter schools play a notable role here, with 4 institutions representing 11.1% of the total school count. These options provide families with a variety of pedagogical approaches within the public system.
What is the school experience like in Rice County?
The county's schools are primarily located in 'Town' settings, with 27 schools fitting this description and 9 classified as rural. Northfield Senior High is the largest school with 1,246 students, offering a traditional large-campus experience. Conversely, the average school size across the county is 262 students, ensuring many smaller learning environments exist.
How can I find homes near good schools in Rice County, Minnesota?
Rice County offers a unique mix of large high-performing high schools and innovative charter options. For buyers prioritizing education, the Northfield and Faribault areas provide diverse housing near major school campuses. Start your home search here to join a community that heavily invests in its public education infrastructure.
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.