Forest Lake Area Schools — ISD 831
Forest Lake Area School District 831 serves approximately 7,000 students across 11 schools, making it the geographically largest school district in the Twin Cities metro at roughly 220 square miles. The district covers Forest Lake, Lindström, Scandia, and parts of the surrounding rural areas — a wide footprint that brings together a mix of small-town and suburban students.
The district has a Niche grade of B and a GreatSchools rating of 7 out of 10 for the high school, placing it solidly in the upper tier of Twin Cities metro districts. It is ranked #7 in Washington County by Niche.
Schools in the District
Forest Lake Area High School
Grades 9–12. The main high school serves the majority of the district. Strong athletics program, active extracurriculars, and a community-oriented feel. GreatSchools rating: 7/10.
Forest Lake Area Middle School
Grades 7–8. Feeds into the high school and offers a range of activities and academic programs for the transition years.
Elementary Schools
The district operates several elementary schools including Columbus Elementary and others, organized by community attendance zones. Class sizes are generally manageable.
Forest Lake Area Community School
An alternative learning option within the district, offering a different approach for students and families who want flexibility.
What Families Should Know
ISD 831 is a district with a community feel — parent involvement is high, and the smaller-town atmosphere means teachers and staff tend to know students by name. The district supports open enrollment, so families from outside the boundaries can apply to attend.
The district's geographic size means bus rides can be longer for students in the more rural attendance areas, which is worth considering if you are choosing a home based on school proximity. The trade-off is that those rural areas offer more space and lower housing costs.
Athletics are a significant part of the culture — the school offers a full range of varsity and junior varsity sports, and community attendance at games is strong. Extracurricular activities, clubs, and fine arts programs round out the student experience.
How It Compares
If you are comparing Forest Lake (ISD 831) to nearby districts: Mahtomedi (ISD 832) is smaller and tends to have higher average test scores, White Bear Lake (ISD 624) is larger and more diverse in its program offerings, and Stillwater (ISD 834) serves a larger geographic area on the St. Croix River side. All three are solid districts — the right fit depends on what matters most to your family.
For a broader look at schools in the area, see our area-wide schools guide.