Five public school districts received the lowest overall grades on Niche’s 2027 Otter Tail County, Minnesota, listing, with grades ranging from B− to B.
The report cards contain some sharp contrasts. One district earned a B+ for Academics alongside a C+ for Teachers. Another received an A for Food and a C+ for College Prep.
Two districts earned a B−, and three tied at B, expanding this comparison to five. The other three districts on the county listing received higher grades.
Under Niche’s 2027 methodology, Academics accounts for half of the overall grade and incorporates state assessment results, college enrollment data and student and parent surveys.
Niche also weighs factors such as its Teachers grade and families’ overall experiences, producing an evaluation separate from Minnesota’s state-issued assessment reports.
Fergus Falls Public School District — Overall Niche Grade B
Fergus Falls’ Niche report card shows a B for Academics and Teachers, compared with a C+ for Clubs & Activities and Sports. The district serves Fergus Falls and surrounding communities and operates iQ Academy Minnesota, an online school.
Niche lists 3,235 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.
| Niche category | Grade |
|---|---|
| Academics | B |
| Diversity | B− |
| Teachers | B |
| College Prep | B− |
| Clubs & Activities | C+ |
| Administration | B |
| Sports | C+ |
| Food | B− |
| Resources & Facilities | B− |
Reading proficiency reached 59%
Niche reports that 59% of tested students reached proficiency in reading and 53% did so in math, drawing on Minnesota’s 2024–25 assessment program.
Those were the highest rates among the five featured districts. Minnesota assesses reading in grades 3 through 8 and grade 10, and math in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11.
Niche reports a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1, above the National Center for Education Statistics’ 2023–24 public-school benchmark of 15.2 to 1. Niche leaves the reporting year of the district staffing figures used throughout this comparison unspecified.
These ratios describe districtwide staffing, while class sizes vary by school, grade and course.
Some fourth and fifth graders spend half the day at the prairie
The district’s Prairie Science Class partnership takes learning beyond the classroom for participating fourth and fifth graders. Students travel to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center for half of each school day, where the prairie and wetlands become the setting for lessons in science, math, writing and other subjects.
District teachers work with students at Cleveland Elementary and the learning center. Families interested in the program can ask Cleveland Elementary about participation and how the daily schedule works.
Pelican Rapids Public School District — Overall Niche Grade B
Pelican Rapids’ Niche report card gives the district an A for Diversity and a C+ for both College Prep and Resources & Facilities. Based in Pelican Rapids, the district serves the city and surrounding rural communities.
Niche lists 842 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.
| Niche category | Grade |
|---|---|
| Academics | B− |
| Diversity | A |
| Teachers | B− |
| College Prep | C+ |
| Clubs & Activities | B− |
| Administration | B+ |
| Sports | B |
| Food | B |
| Resources & Facilities | C+ |
About half of tested students reached proficiency
Niche reports 50% proficiency in reading and 48% in math on Minnesota’s 2024–25 assessments. The two rates were closer together than in any of the other featured districts except Underwood, which also had a two-point difference.
The reported student-teacher ratio was 13 to 1, below the 15.2 to 1 national public-school benchmark for 2023–24.
Free after-school help targets reading and math
Pelican Rapids’ Viking Student Success program offers free after-school and summer support for children in kindergarten through sixth grade who need additional help in reading and math. Licensed teachers work with students on essential skills, alongside enrichment activities.
Registration is required, and families can start by contacting their child’s teacher. The district also offers after-school homework help for students in grades 7 through 12.
Underwood Public School District — Overall Niche Grade B
Underwood’s Niche report card shows a B+ for Teachers alongside a C for Sports. Serving Underwood and surrounding communities, the district has 554 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade, according to Niche.
| Niche category | Grade |
|---|---|
| Academics | B |
| Diversity | C |
| Teachers | B+ |
| College Prep | B− |
| Clubs & Activities | B− |
| Administration | B |
| Sports | C |
| Food | C+ |
| Resources & Facilities | B− |
Reading and math results were two points apart
Niche reports that 49% of tested students reached proficiency in reading and 47% did so in math on Minnesota’s 2024–25 assessments.
Both figures were within one percentage point of Pelican Rapids’ results, although Underwood received a higher Academics grade.
Underwood’s reported student-teacher ratio was 13 to 1, matching Pelican Rapids and falling below the 15.2 to 1 national public-school benchmark for 2023–24.
Preschool enrollment starts with a September birthday cutoff
Underwood’s preschool registration information identifies programs for children who are 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1. The district provides a registration packet for the 2026–27 school year.
Families can use that packet to begin enrollment and contact the school about scheduling and available spaces.
The same page provides kindergarten registration information for children who turn 5 by Sept. 1, along with a school contact for parents who have questions about readiness.
Henning Public School District — Overall Niche Grade B−
Henning’s Niche report card gives Academics and Sports a B+, while Teachers, College Prep, Clubs & Activities and Administration each received a C+. The district serves Henning and nearby rural communities.
Niche lists 381 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.
| Niche category | Grade |
|---|---|
| Academics | B+ |
| Diversity | C |
| Teachers | C+ |
| College Prep | C+ |
| Clubs & Activities | C+ |
| Administration | C+ |
| Sports | B+ |
| Food | B |
| Resources & Facilities | B− |
Reading proficiency was eight points higher than math
Niche reports 55% proficiency in reading and 47% in math on Minnesota’s 2024–25 assessments. Henning shared Underwood’s math proficiency rate and had a reading rate six points higher.
The reported student-teacher ratio was 15 to 1, close to the 15.2 to 1 national public-school benchmark for 2023–24.
Students can explore college courses before graduation
Henning’s school counseling resources include information about Postsecondary Enrollment Options and online College in the High School opportunities.
The district has also held information sessions to help families understand how students can earn college credit while attending high school.
Under Minnesota’s PSEO program, eligible students take college courses on campus or online and earn both high school and college credit.
Each college sets its admissions requirements and course offerings, so families can work with Henning’s counselor to check eligibility and how credits would apply toward graduation.
Parkers Prairie Public School District — Overall Niche Grade B−
Parkers Prairie’s Niche report card gives Food an A and College Prep a C+. The district serves Parkers Prairie and surrounding rural communities. Niche lists 531 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.
| Niche category | Grade |
|---|---|
| Academics | B |
| Diversity | C− |
| Teachers | B |
| College Prep | C+ |
| Clubs & Activities | B |
| Administration | B |
| Sports | B+ |
| Food | A |
| Resources & Facilities | B |
Reading proficiency reached 47%, with math at 44%
Niche reports 47% proficiency in reading and 44% in math on Minnesota’s 2024–25 assessments. Both figures were the lowest among the five featured districts, even though Parkers Prairie received a B for Academics.
Its reported student-teacher ratio was 19 to 1, above the 15.2 to 1 national public-school benchmark for 2023–24.
On-campus child care extends beyond the school day
Parkers Prairie’s Panther Kids Club provides before- and after-school care for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, along with care during school breaks and summer.
Located within the elementary school, the fee-based program includes games, crafts, meals, snacks and outdoor play.
The district also operates Panther Cubs Childcare Center for children from 6 weeks old until kindergarten. Families can submit a registration request or contact the district’s child care coordinator about either program.
A B Cutoff Brings Five Districts Into the Comparison
The featured grades sit close to the rest of Niche’s county listing. Two other districts earned B+ grades, just above the B cutoff, and one earned an A−.
The comparison covers all eight districts on that listing, including the two entries without numerical county rankings.
The category grades complicate any quick reading of the overall results. Henning’s B+ for Academics exceeded the Academics grades of all three districts that earned a B overall.
Parkers Prairie received a B+ for Sports and a B for Clubs & Activities, above the corresponding grades for each of those three districts.
For families, the next step is to look at the school and grade their child would attend. Minnesota’s assessment guidance for families explains how to read individual results alongside classroom work and conversations with teachers.
A family seeking reading support can ask how students qualify for extra instruction and how progress is shared. A student considering college coursework can ask which classes fit their graduation plan and what deadlines they need to meet.