Private School Review - Established 2003
Mounds Park Academy Top 8 · Highest Avg. ACT Score (MN)
Minnehaha Academy Top 15 · Most AP Courses (MN)
The Blake School Early Learning Center Top 3 · Highest Avg. SAT Score (MN)

Best Minnesota Private Elementary Schools Belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 23 private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) serving 11,198 students in Minnesota. You can also find more schools membership associations in Minnesota.
The top ranked private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Minnesota include The Blake School (Middle School, grades 6-8), The Blake School Early Learning Center, and The Blake School/Upper School.
The average tuition cost is $25,566, which is higher than the Minnesota private elementary school average tuition cost of $8,842.
57% of private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Minnesota are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Episcopal).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 23

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 23

Top Ranked Private Elementary Schools Belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Minnesota (2026-27)

Minnehaha Academy Photo
Minnehaha Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 895 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 19 | Extracurriculars: 31
Christian
3100 West River Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 728-7722
(16)
View Profile
Mounds Park Academy Photo
Mounds Park Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 543 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 18 | Extracurriculars: 88
2051 Larpenteur Avenue E
Saint Paul, MN 55109
(651) 748-5577
(25)
View Profile
Benilde-St Margaret's School Photo
Benilde-St Margaret's School
Gr: 6-12
Avg. class size: 21 students
Sports: 25 | Extracurriculars: 45
Catholic
2501 Highway 100
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(952) 927-4176
(3)
View Profile
The Blake School (Middle School, grades 6-8) Photo
The Blake School (Middle School, grades 6-8)
Gr: PK-12 | 1,281 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 19 | Extracurriculars: 20
110 Blake Road S
Hopkins, MN 55343
(952) 988-3420
View Profile
The Blake School Early Learning Center Photo
The Blake School Early Learning Center
Gr: PK-12 | 1,281 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 19 | Extracurriculars: 10
110 Blake Road South
Hopkins, MN 55343
(952) 988-3420
View Profile
The Blake School/Upper School Photo
The Blake School/Upper School
Gr: PK-12 | 1,281 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 18 | Extracurriculars: 27
511 Kenwood Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(952) 988-3420
View Profile
Breck School Photo
Breck School
Gr: PK-12 | 1,216 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 18
Episcopal
123 Ottawa Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55422
(763) 381-8201
View Profile
Groves Academy Photo
Groves Academy
Gr: 1-12 | 277 students
Avg. class size: 8 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 4
Special Education School
3200 Highway 100 S
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(952) 920-6377
View Profile
Marshall School Photo
Marshall School
Gr: K-12 | 458 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 14 | Extracurriculars: 36
1215 Rice Lake Rd
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 727-7266
(1)
View Profile
St. Charles Borromeo School Photo
St. Charles Borromeo School
Gr: PK-8 | 343 students
Catholic
2727 Stinson Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-2643
View Profile
Map of St. Paul Academy & Summit School
St. Paul Academy & Summit School
Gr: K-12 | 918 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
1150 Goodrich Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 698-2451
View Profile
Saint Thomas Academy Photo
Saint Thomas Academy
Gr: 6-12 | 604 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 20 | Extracurriculars: 40
All-boys (Catholic)
949 Mendota Heights Road
Saint Paul, MN 55120
(651) 683-1516
(3)
View Profile
Shattuck-st. Marys School Photo
Shattuck-st. Marys School
Gr: 6-12 | 397 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Sports: 14 | Extracurriculars: 17
Episcopal
1000 Shumway Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-1574
(1)
View Profile
Visitation School Photo
Visitation School
Gr: PK-12 | 605 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 17 | Extracurriculars: 24
Catholic
2455 Visitation Drive
Saint Paul, MN 55120
(651) 683-1706
(6)
View Profile
Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School Photo
Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School
Gr: K-8 | 171 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 6 | Extracurriculars: 8
Jewish
4330 Cedar Lake Road S
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(952) 381-3500
View Profile
Franklin Academy Photo
Franklin Academy
Gr: 1-12 | 91 students
Avg. class size: 8 students
Sports: 6 | Extracurriculars: 14
Special Education School
1001 Boone Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
(952) 737-6900
(2)
View Profile
Map of Friends School Of Minnesota
Friends School Of Minnesota
Gr: K-8 | 146 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 6
Alternative School (Friends)
1365 Englewood Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 621-8933
(1)
View Profile
Map of Holy Family Academy
Holy Family Academy
Gr: PK-8 | 203 students
Catholic
5925 W Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(952) 925-9193
View Profile
Map of Many Rivers Montessori
Many Rivers Montessori
Gr: K-8 | 108 students
Montessori School
Jefferson Square, 916 E 3rd Street
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 464-5570
View Profile
Map of St. Anne Elementary School
St. Anne Elementary School
Gr: PK-5 | 136 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Catholic
511 N 4th St
Le Sueur, MN 56058
(507) 665-2489
View Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Minnesota?
The top ranked private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Minnesota include The Blake School (Middle School, grades 6-8), The Blake School Early Learning Center, and The Blake School/Upper School.
How many private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) are located in Minnesota?
23 private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) are located in Minnesota.
How much do private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) cost in Minnesota?
The average tuition cost is $25,566, which is higher than the Minnesota private school average tuition cost of $8,842.
How diverse are private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Minnesota?
Minnesota private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) are approximately 29% minority students, which is higher than the Minnesota private school average of 21%.
What percentage of private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) are religiously affiliated in Minnesota?
57% of private elementary schools belonging to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Minnesota are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Episcopal).
23
Private Schools
11,198
Students
$25,566
Avg. Tuition
29%
Students of Color
9:1
Student-Teacher Ratio

Recent Articles

How Much Homework Is Too Much?
How Much Homework Is Too Much?
Learn how to compare private school homework expectations, recognize excessive workloads, evaluate assignment quality, and ask better questions about academic balance before choosing a school for your child.
Learning Support Without a Formal Program
Learning Support Without a Formal Program
Learn what private schools mean by informal learning support, how services differ from formal programs, and which questions families should ask before choosing the right school today.
Beyond AP vs. IB: How to Judge Academic Rigor
Beyond AP vs. IB: How to Judge Academic Rigor
Learn how to judge academic rigor at private schools without AP or IB by examining curriculum depth, assessments, faculty expectations, advanced coursework, student work, and college preparation outcomes.

Quick Links

SCHOOL SEARCH TOOLS:
SCHOOL BY TYPE (MN):
OPEN-HOUSES & JOBS:
PUBLIC & BOARDING SCHOOLS:
PRIVATE SCHOOL DATA:

Most Popular Articles

What's In A Grade?
What's In A Grade?
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
Athletics Are Not Optional
Athletics Are Not Optional

More Articles

The Journey to Enrollment
Excellence in School Security
Premier School Models
Leadership in Private Education
Global Educator Empowerment