Seven public school districts serve over 15,000 K-12 students in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The school’s employees focus on the tasks of guiding students’ learning and providing a clean, safe, and healthful environment. Students are offered numerous extra-curricular, specialized and enrichment programs to enhance their learning experience. The State of Minnesota offers open enrollment for all students, so children may attend the public school district of their choice, even though their home may be located outside of that district’s boundaries.

The Post Secondary Enrollment Options program (PSEO) was established as an enrichment program for high school juniors and/or seniors. These programs allow high school students to receive high school credit for completed collegiate courses and subsequently may apply for post-secondary credit upon entering college. The PSEO program is open to all 11th or 12th grade students enrolled in public, private, or home schools who meet the admission criteria.

Aitkin Community School, District 1
306 – 2nd Street NW, Aitkin, MN 56431
(218) 927-2115
Enrollment, K-12
Total Students 1,345
Enrollment K-6: 660
Enrollment 7-9: 375
Enrollment 10-12: 310

Brainerd Public School, District 181
804 Oak Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-6900
Enrollment, K-12
Total Students 7,350
Elementary (Pre-K – 5) 3,150
Junior High (6-9 ) 1,731
Senior High (10-12) 1,550

Crosby/Ironton Crosby Public Schools, District 182
711 Poplar St. Crosby, MN 56441
(218) 546-5165
Enrollment, Grades K-12
Total Students 1594
Elementary (K-6) 876
Junior High (7-9) 410
Senior High (10-12) 346

Crosslake Community School
PO Box 1079, Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 692-5437
E-mail: clschool@crosslake.net
Elementary (Pre-K - 6) 60

Pequot Lakes Public School, District 186
PO Box 368, 30805 Olson St, Pequot Lakes MN 56472
(218) 568-4996
Enrollment, K-12
Total Student 1,283
Elementary (Pre-K – 6) 664
Junior High (7-8 ) 219
Senior High (9-12) 400

Pillager Public School, District 116
PO Box 38, Pillager, MN 56473
(218) 746-3772
Enrollment, K-12
Total Student 725
Elementary (Pre-K – 5) 400
Jr./Sr. High (7-12) 325

Pine River Backus School, District 2174
Box 610, Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-4720
Total Student 1203
Elementary (K – 6) 597
Junior High/ Senior High (7-12) 606

Staples/Motley Consolidated School, District 2170
202 Pleasant Ave NE, Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2430
Enrollment, K-12
Total Students 1633
Staples Elementary (K–5) 477
Motley Elementary (K-5) 165
Junior High (6-8 ) 382
Senior High (9-12) 609