These MN School Districts Scored Highest On Annual Proficiency Tests

ST. PAUL, MN — Earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Education released its 2025 statewide test results, showing overall reading and math scores barely moved from last year.

Statewide, 45.2 percent of students were shown to be proficient in math, and reading scores hovered in the mid-40s.

MDE noted that under federal reporting requirements, students who did not take the test are counted the same as students who are not proficient. That rule, part of the Every Student Succeeds Act, has an impact on statewide averages.

Now, newly released breakdowns highlight the public school districts where students performed best in grades 3–8 on this year’s tests.

The rankings, compiled by the Education Data Center, exclude charter schools and focus on overall English Language Arts (ELA) and math proficiency.

Top 5 districts for reading (ELA proficiency):

1. Westonka Public School District — 77 percent
2. Hancock Public School District — 75 percent
3. Edina Public School District — 75 percent
4. Minnetonka Public School District — 74 percent
5. Orono Public School District — 73 percent

Top 5 districts for math proficiency:

1. Westonka Public School District — 78 percent
2. Minnetonka Public School District — 76 percent
3. Orono Public School District — 76 percent
4. Hancock Public School District — 74 percent
5. Mahtomedi Public School District — 73 percent

Westonka topped both lists, while Minnetonka, Orono, and Hancock appeared in the top five for both reading and math. Edina excelled in reading, and Mahtomedi stood out in math.

These results provide a sharp contrast to the statewide averages.

Nearly one-third of Minnesota students did not meet math standards in 2025, and English learners continue to face challenges, with most still in the early or middle stages of proficiency.

Education Commissioner Willie Jett previously said the statewide results "reflect a moment in time" and emphasized that initiatives like the Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act and new teacher recruitment efforts aim to boost long-term performance.

Families can look up results for their child’s school or district through the Minnesota Report Card and MDE’s Data Center. The databases provide detailed breakdowns by district, school, grade level, and student group.