The city of Northfield realizes the importance of quality education. Of the 4,900 households in Northfield, 35 percent have children under the age of 18. Northfield, Minnesota is part of Independent School District 659, also known as the Northfield Public School District. The district operates three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.

Serving approximately 575 students from grades K-5, Sibley Elementary School is one of Northfield’s most outstanding public schools. The school’s mission is to empower learners and build foundations. Sibley Elementary offers comprehensive core curriculum that includes a Spanish immersion option as well as student experiences in art, vocal, string, instrumental, physical education, and media. Parents and students can expect to experience a friendly atmosphere that is dedicated to helping students find and develop their talents at Sibley.

Northfield Middle School, located on an expansive campus just south of downtown Northfield, has a longstanding record of academic excellence. With a staff of over a 100 individuals who are providing students with a well-rounded, high-quality education, the school strives to meet the specific needs of each student. The school also realizes the benefits of mentor relationships, offering students an acclaimed, results-oriented program that pairs students with adults in the community who can provide encouragement, friendship, and homework assistance. Northfield Elementary also provides an online information portal where parents are kept up-to-date on their child’s progress.

Within Northfield, there are also a number of charter schooling options available. One of Northfield’s most popular charter schools is Arcadia Charter School. Arcadia provides a choice in public education for grades 6-12 that is free and available to all. In addition to traditional classes, students create interest-driven projects that follow their individual learning plans. Arcadia values small classrooms where there is a 16:1 ratio between teachers and students, which is a major reason why the school maintains a 100 percent graduation rate. As a part of Minnesota’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, students that are certified are able to take classes that earn both high school and college credit. The school also has a positive and collaborative relationship with Northfield Public Schools that allows for students at Arcadia to participate in many extracurricular activities.    

Established in 1967, Northfield High School is located on a 52-acre campus just south of downtown Northfield. The school currently has 1,203 students enrolled with an average student-teacher ratio of 30.5:1. Northfield High School has a tradition in rich academic excellence. Sixteen different Advanced Placement classes are offered to students and in 2015, 88% of students who took the AP exams for college credit scored 3 or higher. The high school’s average ACT composite score is 25.2 and 68 percent of students plan on attending a four-year college or university. There are also a variety of extracurricular activities that are offered to students including band, choir, orchestra, drama, and a wide assortment of clubs. Athletics are also a major part of Northfield High School. The school competes in football, cross country, soccer, swim, dive, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, baseball, softball, track, and more.  

Two liberal arts colleges are also located in Northfield, Minnesota. Carleton College was founded 1866 and is best known for its academic excellence and warm, welcoming campus community. The college offers 36 majors in 15 concentrations in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Student enrollment is 1,991 with a student/faculty ratio of 9:1 and class sizes of around 18. The campus is located on 1,040 acres of land, including a 880-acre arboretum. In its 2016 edition of national liberal arts college rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Carleton 8th-best overall and first in undergraduate teaching. Carleton also boasts a 94 percent graduation rate and a selection rate for incoming students of only 22.8 percent.     

If you have any questions regarding the city of Northfield, Minnesota, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit TwinCitiesPropertyFinder.com or call 1-800-909-1953.