Schools

Head Start and Early Head Start are federal programs designed to support the development of children from low-income families.

• Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5, focusing on preparing them for school by promoting early learning, health, and parental involvement.
• Early Head Start targets infants and toddlers up to age 3, providing support to improve their developmental outcomes and supporting parents through home visits and family services.

Both programs emphasize comprehensive support, including education, health services, and family engagement, to foster the overall well-being and readiness of young children.

Lakes and Pines Head Start: https://www.lakesandpines.org/head-start

Mille Lacs Band Head Start: https://millelacsband.com/government/resources1/early-education

East Central School District, located in Finlayson, MN, serves approximately 700 students from early childhood through high school. The district emphasizes a supportive learning environment with comprehensive academic programs and extracurricular activities. The district also encourages involvement in arts, sports, and other activities, aiming to provide a well-rounded educational experience and prepare students for future success.

Location: 61085 State Highway 23, Finlayson, MN 55735

Main Phone: 320-245-2289

Superintendent: Stef Youngberg

Schools within the District:

• East Central Elementary School
• East Central High School

Key Features:

• Early Childhood Education: Offers high quality early education, including ECFE family education and free preschool for 3 and 4 year olds.
• Community Education: Provides various educational programs and activities for community members, including adult education, swimming, and youth sports.
• Athletics and Activities: The district supports a variety of sports teams and extracurricular activities, including trap shooting, Math League, and a robust theater program.
• Student Support Services: Includes counseling, health services, alternative learning and special education support to cater to the diverse needs of students.

Mission Statement: East Central Public School, in partnership with families and community, is dedicated to achieving educational excellence by developing in all students the confidence, knowledge, and responsibility to succeed.

The Hinckley-Finlayson School District, located in east-central Minnesota, serves nearly 1,000 students from preschool through 12th grade. It offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs designed to foster student growth and community engagement, including community education, special education, and alternative learning options. The district emphasizes creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment to help students achieve their full potential.

Location: 201 Main St E, PO Box 308, Hinckley, MN 55037

Main Phone: 320-384-6277

Superintendent: Brian Masterson

Schools within the District:

• Hinckley Elementary School
• Finlayson Elementary School
• Hinckley-Finlayson High School

Key Features:

• Early Childhood Education: Offers high quality early education, including ECFE and Little Jags Preschool.
• Community Education: Provides various educational programs and activities for community members, including adult education, swimming, and youth sports.
• Athletics and Activities: The district supports a variety of sports teams and extracurricular activities, including football, knowledge bowl, and one-act plays.
• Student Support Services: Includes counseling, health services, PSEO and special education support to cater to the diverse needs of students.

Mission Statement: We pledge to be the place where every student is known, valued, and challenged to succeed.

Pine City Public Schools is dedicated to providing high-quality education that fosters knowledge, creativity, and positive attitudes for it’s nearly 1,500 students. Located in southern Pine County, the district serves a vibrant community with a strong support for the arts and natural beauty. The district includes Pine City and several surrounding townships, and it offers a variety of educational programs aimed at developing students’ full potential.

Location: 1400 Main St S, Pine City, MN 55063

Main Phone: 320-629-4000

Superintendent: Cindy Stolp

Schools within the District:

• Pine City Elementary School
• Pine City High School

Key Features:

• Early Childhood Education: Offers high quality early education, including ECFE parent education, kinder camp, and Head Start.
• Community Education: Provides various educational programs and activities for community members, including adult education, youth programs, and recreational activities.
• Athletics and Activities: The district supports a variety of sports teams and extracurricular activities, including gymnastics, trap shooting, and theater programs.
• Student Support Services: Includes counseling, health services, and special education support to cater to the diverse needs of students.

Mission Statement: The purpose of public education at Pine City Schools is to help individuals acquire knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes toward self and others that will enable them to solve problems, think creatively, continue learning, and develop maximum potential for leading productive, fulfilling, career aware lives in a complex and changing society.

Willow River School District serves the educational needs of Willow River and surrounding communities, emphasizing academic excellence and student development for it’s approximately 350 students. The district offers a variety of programs, including career and technical education, extracurricular activities, and a robust early childhood education program. The district is committed to providing a supportive learning environment that fosters growth and success for all students.

Location: 8142 Pine St, Willow River, MN 55795

Main Phone: 218-372-3131

Superintendent: Bill Peel

Schools within the District:

• Willow River Elementary School
• Willow River High School

Key Features:

• Early Childhood Education: Offers high quality early education, including ECFE and free preschool for 3 and 4 year olds.
• Community Education: Provides various educational programs and activities for community members, including adult education, music lessons, and youth sports.
• Athletics and Activities: The district supports a variety of sports teams and extracurricular activities, including tech club, National Honors Society, and football.
• Student Support Services: Includes counseling, health services, and special education support to cater to the diverse needs of students.

Mission Statement: Willow River Area School is committed to providing the highest quality education to all who enter. Our communities and schools strive to provide a safe, healthy, nurturing, and productive learning environment.

The Moose Lake School District serves students approximately 600 students, offering a comprehensive educational experience with a focus on academic excellence. With a strong emphasis on community involvement and personalized education, Moose Lake School District works to ensure that each student receives the attention and resources needed to thrive.

Location: 4812 County Rd 10, Moose Lake, MN 55767-9244

Main Phone: 218-485-4435

Superintendent: Billie Jo Steen

Schools within the District:

• Moose Lake Elementary School
• Moose Lake High School

Key Features:

• Early Childhood Education: Offers birth to age five educational opportunities through ECFE and Preschool.
• Community Education: Provides various educational programs and activities for community members, including adult education, youth programs, and recreational activities.
• Athletics and Activities: The district supports a variety of sports teams and extracurricular activities, including robotics, arts, and music programs.
• Student Support Services: Includes counseling, health services, and special education support to cater to the diverse needs of students.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Moose Lake School District is typically centered on providing a safe and supportive learning environment, fostering academic excellence, and preparing students to be responsible and productive citizens.

The Braham School District, which serves around 1,000 students, is dedicated to creating a supportive and engaging educational environment. The district provides a broad spectrum of academic programs designed to meet diverse learning needs, alongside a variety of extracurricular activities that promote overall student development. Their commitment extends to fostering a safe and nurturing atmosphere that encourages both academic and personal growth.

Location: 531 Elmhurst Ave. S., Braham MN 55006

Main Phone: 320-396-3313

Superintendent: Ken Gagner

Schools within the District:

• Braham Area Schools Elementary School
• Braham Area Schools High School

Key Features:

• Early Childhood Education: Offers high quality early education, including ECFE family education and early childhood screenings.
• Community Groups: Provides various programs and activities for community members, including a parent organization and youth sports.
• Athletics and Activities: The district supports a variety of sports teams and extracurricular activities, including basketball, Jazz Band, and theater.
• Student Support Services: Includes counseling, health services, alternative learning and special education support to cater to the diverse needs of students.

Mission Statement: Braham Area Schools is dedicated to providing high quality positive life long learning to nurture each individual’s unique potential, talent, and self-worth. This will be accomplished by fostering a high level of community commitment, creating increased opportunities for learning, encouraging open communication, recognizing that education is a cooperative responsibility, and building meaningful relationships with all stakeholders.

Harvest Christian School is a religiously-based, private prek-12 school located in Sandstone, MN. It provides a Christ-centered education for about 60 students in a nurturing environment that promotes academic excellence and spiritual growth. With small class sizes, the school emphasizes personalized learning and strong community connections. Harvest Christian School offers a range of programs designed to develop the whole child—academically, spiritually, and socially.

Location: 400 3rd Ave SE, Sandstone, MN 55072

Main Phone: 320 245-5330

Key Features:

• Christian Education: Integrates faith and learning across all subjects.
• Academics: Promotes individualized attention through small class sizes, tailored instruction, and opportunities for advanced learning including PSEO.
• Extracurricular Activities: Partners with East Central School district to offer access to athletic and other extracurricular activities.
• Tuition: As a private institute, Harvest Christian charges tuition and enrollment fees. These fees are based on the grade of the student.

Mission Statement:
The mission of Harvest Christian School is to partner with families to provide a Christ-centered education that prepares students to be faithful and effective servants of Christ.

Pine Technical and Community College focuses on providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to support personal and professional growth. The college aims to prepare students for successful careers and lifelong learning through a diverse range of programs and services.

Location: 900 4th St SE, Pine City, MN 55063

Phone: 320-629-5100

Student Body Size: Approximately 2,000 students

Popular Areas of Study:

• Cyber Security
• Nursing and Health Sciences
• Automated Systems Technology
• Gunsmithing and Firearms Technology

Highlights:

• Only Gunsmithing program in Minnesota
• High NCLEX pass rates for Nursing program
• 86% job placement rate for graduates
• Affordable tuition and fees
• Friendly campus environment with personalized support
• On campus housing and brand-new student center

The St. Croix River Education District (SCRED) is an organization that provides educational support services to several school districts in Minnesota. SCRED offers programs and resources focused on improving student outcomes in areas such as academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning, along with transitional support and adult basic education. They work closely with schools, educators, and families to implement evidence-based practices and interventions, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed.

Districts SCRED Supports: East Central Schools, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Pine City School District, Rush City School District, North Branch, Chisago Lakes

Services SCRED Provides:

• Academic Support: Helps individuals with academic challenges through personalized educational strategies.
• Communication Services: Focuses on speech and language development.
• Social-Emotional Learning: Provides resources for emotional and social skills.
• Assistive Technology: Offers tools to support learning for individuals with disabilities.
• Hearing and Vision Services: Supports individuals with hearing or visual impairments.
• Motor and Sensory Services: Addresses physical and sensory development needs.
• Adult Education: Includes diploma, GED, citizenship education, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
• Secondary Transition Programs: The Pine County Transition Program provides life skills and work exploration programming for young adults with disabilities ages 18-22.