📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (MCA 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 9 Rated Districts in Dakota County, MN
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lakeville Public School District | Lakeville | 10/10 Excellent | 90th |
| #2 | Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan | Rosemount | 9/10 Excellent | 83rd |
| #3 | West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan | Mendota Heights | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #4 | Hastings Public School District | Hastings | 7/10 Good | 60th |
| #5 | Farmington Public School District | Farmington | 6/10 Average | 50th |
| #6 | Inver Grove Heights Schools | Inver Grove Heights | 4/10 Below Average | 33rd |
| #7 | Randolph Public School District | Randolph | 4/10 Below Average | 32nd |
| #8 | South St. Paul Public School District | South Saint Paul | 4/10 Below Average | 31st |
| #9 | Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District | Burnsville | 3/10 Below Average | 28th |
Best School Districts in Dakota County, Minnesota (2026)
This page lists the 9 public school districts headquartered in Dakota County, Minnesota that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using MCA 2024–25 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in Minnesota, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Dakota County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Dakota County, Minnesota? ▼
Among the 9 rated districts in Dakota County, Minnesota, the highest-rated is Lakeville Public School District (Lakeville), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 90th percentile of Minnesota districts on MCA 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (MCA 2024–25), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in Minnesota and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.