The Hastings School District encompasses over 170 square miles and is, geographically, one of the largest school districts in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The school system has a Kindergarten through grade twelve enrollment of approximately 4,300 students and a total district population of about 28,000 residents. Independent School District #200 serves the cities of Hampton, Hastings, Miesville, New Trier, and Vermillion, and portions of Denmark, Douglas, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Ravenna, and Vermillion townships. While most of the school district is located in Dakota County, parts of ISD #200 are in Washington and Goodhue Counties.

The Hastings Public Schools offer a comprehensive educational program in three elementary schools (Kennedy, McAuliffe, and Pinecrest), the award-winning Hastings Middle School, and the state-of-the-art Hastings High School. Several model special education programs serve students with special needs and numerous area colleges and universities provide post-secondary enrollment opportunities to Hastings students and residents. An exemplary Community Education department provides an extensive array of programs and services for all ages from early childhood through senior citizens.