Best Public Schools in Zip Code 56425

The 56425 zip code is home to two schools, Forestview Middle and Baxter Elementary, both part of the Brainerd Public School District. While both schools perform well, Baxter Elementary stands out as an exceptional institution, consistently outperforming the district and state averages on standardized tests.

Baxter Elementary boasts a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, ranking it in the top 25% of Minnesota elementary schools. Its students excel in both Math and Reading, with 68.23% and 55.21% proficiency rates, respectively. In contrast, Forestview Middle has test scores that are more in line with the district and state averages, though it still maintains a 4-star rating and is in the top 23% of Minnesota middle schools. The disparity in free and reduced-price lunch rates between the two schools (37.13% at Baxter Elementary vs. 44.64% at Forestview Middle) suggests that Baxter Elementary serves a more affluent student population, which may contribute to its exceptional academic performance.

Both schools have a predominantly white student population, with over 90% of students identifying as white. This lack of racial diversity may be an area for the Brainerd Public School District to explore and address. While Forestview Middle has maintained a consistent 4-star rating, there may be opportunities to identify and implement strategies to further improve student outcomes at the school and potentially match the level of excellence demonstrated by Baxter Elementary.