Best private high schools in Minnesota
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Minnesota using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#30. Chesterton Academy
- Location: Hopkins, MN
- Enrollment: 141 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#29. Hill-Murray School
- Location: Maplewood, MN
- Enrollment: 1,006 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#28. Pacelli High School
- Location: Austin, MN
- Enrollment: 120 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#27. St. Croix Lutheran Academy
- Location: West Saint Paul, MN
- Enrollment: 497 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#26. Maranatha Christian Academy
- Location: Brooklyn Park, MN
- Enrollment: 870 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#25. Southwest Christian High School
- Location: Chaska, MN
- Enrollment: 493 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#24. Liberty Classical Academy
- Location: White Bear Lake, MN
- Enrollment: 443 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#23. Totino-Grace High School
- Location: Fridley, MN
- Enrollment: 682 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#22. Marshall School
- Location: Duluth, MN
- Enrollment: 458 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#21. Lourdes High School
- Location: Rochester, MN
- Enrollment: 327 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#20. New Life Academy
- Location: Woodbury, MN
- Enrollment: 748 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#19. Hillcrest Academy
- Location: Fergus Falls, MN
- Enrollment: 344 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#18. Holy Family Catholic High School
- Location: Victoria, MN
- Enrollment: 553 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#17. Benilde-St. Margaret's School
- Location: St. Louis Park, MN
- Enrollment: 1,152 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#16. Trinity School at River Ridge
- Location: Eagan, MN
- Enrollment: 231 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#15. DeLaSalle High School
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Enrollment: 701 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#14. Visitation School
- Location: Mendota Heights, MN
- Enrollment: 601 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#13. Providence Academy
- Location: Plymouth, MN
- Enrollment: 941 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#12. Saint Thomas Academy
- Location: Mendota Heights, MN
- Enrollment: 600 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#11. Al-Amal School
- Location: Fridley, MN
- Enrollment: 393 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#10. Academy of Holy Angels
- Location: Richfield, MN
- Enrollment: 629 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#9. Cretin-Derham Hall
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Enrollment: 940 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#8. Shattuck-St. Mary's School
- Location: Faribault, MN
- Enrollment: 403 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#7. Minnehaha Academy
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Enrollment: 844 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. Breck School
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Enrollment: 1,218 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#5. The Blake School
- Location: Hopkins, MN
- Enrollment: 1,370 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Mounds Park Academy
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Enrollment: 582 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Saint John's Preparatory School
- Location: Collegeville, MN
- Enrollment: 282 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. St. Paul Academy and Summit School
- Location: Saint Paul, MN
- Enrollment: 890 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. The International School of Minnesota
- Location: Eden Prairie, MN
- Enrollment: 310 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
