Best Schools in Wadena, Minnesota
9 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Wadena?
Use this page to compare every school in Wadena by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Freshwater Education District Alc
High · Freshwater Education District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High
High · Wadena-deer Creek School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wadena-deer Creek Elementary
Elementary · Wadena-deer Creek School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Wadena for 2026 are Freshwater Education District Alc (6.5/10), Wadena-deer Creek Senior High (6.4/10), and Wadena-deer Creek Elementary (5.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$168,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$168,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Wadena
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freshwater Education District Alc | 6.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Wadena-deer Creek Senior High | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Wadena-deer Creek Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade | 5.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $56,356
- Median home value
- $168,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Wadena compares
Minnesota rank
#140 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$56k
67% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Wadena, Minnesota
Wadena, Minnesota is home to 9 schools, including 8 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Wadena show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Wadena is Freshwater Education District Alc with a composite score of 6.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Wadena is served by 2 school districts: Freshwater Education District, WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 1,292 students.
Wadena's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,356. The poverty rate in the area is 11.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 464 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.6 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 168 students · 5th–6th | 5.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Green Meadow
Private
23 students · 1st–8th | — | ||
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 82 students · 6th–12th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 480 students · 7th–12th | 6.4 |
| 3 | 12 students · 5th–12th | — |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — |
| 2 | 19 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
| 3 | 7 students · 2nd–12th | — |
Schools in Wadena
Wadena, Minnesota · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$56,356
Median Home Value
$168,000
Median Rent
$699/mo
Population
7,494
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Community Profile
Wadena has a median household income of $56,356. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,000, with a median rent of $699/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- Other
- 3
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Minnesota
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Wadena, Minnesota
How many schools are in Wadena, Minnesota?
Wadena has 9 schools, including 8 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Wadena, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Wadena is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Wadena, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Wadena on MySchoolScout is Freshwater Education District Alc with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Wadena, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Wadena on MySchoolScout is Wadena-deer Creek Elementary with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Wadena, Minnesota?
The top-ranked middle school in Wadena on MySchoolScout is Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Wadena, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Wadena on MySchoolScout is Freshwater Education District Alc with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Wadena, Minnesota?
Wadena is served by 2 school districts: Freshwater Education District, Wadena-deer Creek School District.
What is the education level in Wadena, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Wadena have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Wadena, Minnesota?
The median household income in Wadena is approximately $56,356 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Wadena, Minnesota?
Yes, Wadena has 1 private school alongside 8 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Wadena, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Wadena is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Wadena, Minnesota?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Minnesota Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.