Brainerd Public Schools

Brainerd Public Schools (BPS), also known as ISD 181, is a school district headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota.

In addition to Brainerd it serves Baxter, Fort Ripley, Garrison, Merrifield, and most of Nisswa.

History
Jerry Walseth became the superintendent circa 2000.

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators gave Walseth the Administrator of Excellence Award.

In 2008 a referendum for school funding failed, and as a result the district closed two schools.

Laine Larson became the superintendent in 2016. In 2021 the Minnesota Association of School Administrators gave her the Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award.

Schools

 * High school
 * Brainerd High School


 * Middle school
 * Forestview Middle School


 * Elementary school
 * Baxter Elementary School
 * Garfield Elementary School
 * Harrison Elementary School
 * Lowell Elementary School
 * Nisswa Elementary School
 * Riverside Elementary School


 * Other
 * Brainerd Community Education
 * Brainerd Learning Center
 * Lincoln Education Center

Former schools

 * Whittier Elementary School - In 2008 its enrollment was below 140 and it was scheduled to close that year.