Residents of the Brainerd Lakes Area have unlimited options when it comes to educating their children. Through "open enrollment," the State of Minnesota supports your right to choose the best school for your needs regardless of where your home is located. And with higher education and community education available, the thirst for knowledge can be satisfied at any age.

	The Brainerd Lakes Area is served by seven K-12 public school districts.
	Private school options range from community-based to parochial schools.
	Higher education opportunities are also abundant in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Central Lakes College offers two-year degree programs, and also makes four-year degrees available by hosting a "distance learning" program in cooperation with St. Scholastica and Southwest State Universities.
	The goal of community education is to provide support for K-12 programs and help build a stronger community through learning and fun. Most public schools maintain active community education programs that offer a variety of opportunities such as computer classes, musical instruments, and sporting activities, among many others.
	Many families in the region also provide home-schooling for their children.
	Area libraries also provide free resources for students of all ages, as well as preschoolers, adults and out-of-town visitors.

Quality childcare is available for working families. For referrals and more information, contact the Region 5 Child Care Resource and Referral center at (800) 422-7395.