- BAXTER ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–4 · 506 students
- BRAINERD SENIOR HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1805 students
- GARFIELD ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–4 · 250 students
- HARRISON ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–4 · 230 students
- LOWELL ELEMENTARY — Grades K–4 · 355 students
- NISSWA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–4 · 249 students
- RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–4 · 407 students
- LINCOLN EDUCATION CENTER — Grades 3–12 · 105 students
- ISD 181 LEARNING CENTER — Grades 8–12 · 166 students
- BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED. — Grades PK–PK · 151 students
- MIDDLE LEVEL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM — Grades 5–8 · 14 students
- FORESTVIEW MIDDLE — Grades 5–8 · 1626 students
- Brainerd Online School — Grades 9–12 · 0 students
- WELC - VPK — Grades PK–PK · 215 students
| Metric | Brainerd Public School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
About Brainerd Public School District
Zip code 56401 in Brainerd, Minnesota is served by Brainerd Public School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Brainerd Public School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Brainerd Public School District runs approximately $14,000 annually, placing it near the Minnesota state average of approximately $14,000 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Brainerd Public School District is a large district with 13 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 6,232 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Brainerd Public School District 8 out of 10 — above average among Minnesota public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Minnesota is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Brainerd Public School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Minnesota. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 56401
Children in zip code 56401 are assigned to Brainerd Public School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 56401, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Brainerd Public School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Minnesota districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Brainerd
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Brainerd Public School District serves zip code 56401, homes in and around zip code 56401 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Minnesota, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Brainerd Public School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 56401.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Brainerd Public School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 56401 data.