Best Schools in Waite Park, Minnesota
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Waite Park?
Use this page to compare every school in Waite Park 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.
St. Cloud Area Learning Center
High · St. Cloud Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Discovery Community Elementary
Elementary · St. Cloud Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Special Education Facilities
Other · St. Cloud Public 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 Waite Park for 2026 are St. Cloud Area Learning Center (6.0/10), Discovery Community Elementary (4.6/10), and Special Education Facilities (3.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$230,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$230,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Waite Park
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Cloud Area Learning Center | 6.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Discovery Community Elementary | 4.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Special Education Facilities | 3.4 / 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
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $57,387
- Median home value
- $230,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waite Park compares
Minnesota rank
#226 of 229
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Minnesota avg (6.2)
Median household income
$57k
68% of Minnesota median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Waite Park, Minnesota
Waite Park, Minnesota is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.0 out of 10, schools in Waite Park 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 Waite Park is St. Cloud Area Learning Center with a composite score of 6.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Waite Park is served by 1 school district: ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 9,543 students.
Waite Park's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $57,387. The poverty rate in the area is 24.1%.
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 | 540 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 231 students · 6th–12th | 6.0 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 304 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.9 | ||
| 2 | 59 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.4 | ||
| 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 | Holy Innocents School
Private
13 students · 1st–12th | — | ||
Schools in Waite Park
Waite Park, Minnesota · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$57,387
Median Home Value
$230,500
Median Rent
$1,072/mo
Population
7,705
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
24.1%
Community Profile
Waite Park has a median household income of $57,387. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,500, with a median rent of $1,072/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Minnesota
- Elementary
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 3
Resources
School District
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 Waite Park, Minnesota
How many schools are in Waite Park, Minnesota?
Waite Park has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waite Park, Minnesota?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waite Park is 5.0 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 Waite Park, Minnesota?
The top-ranked school in Waite Park on MySchoolScout is St. Cloud Area Learning Center with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waite Park, Minnesota?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waite Park on MySchoolScout is Discovery Community Elementary with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Waite Park, Minnesota?
The top-ranked high school in Waite Park on MySchoolScout is St. Cloud Area Learning Center with a composite score of 6.0/10.
How many school districts serve Waite Park, Minnesota?
Waite Park is served by 1 school district: St. Cloud Public School District.
What is the education level in Waite Park, Minnesota?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Waite Park have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waite Park, Minnesota?
The median household income in Waite Park is approximately $57,387 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waite Park, Minnesota?
Yes, Waite Park has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waite Park, Minnesota?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waite Park is 10.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waite Park, 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.