West Central Area School District
School District · Barrett, Minnesota
Avg Rating
7.2
out of 10
Schools
4
2 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Avg Rating
7.2
out of 10
Schools
4
2 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
How this district compares
Minnesota rank
#62 of 389
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.9
above Minnesota avg
Per-pupil spending
$14,757
+$149 vs Minnesota median
District size
750 students
Typical than Minnesota median
The short answer
West Central Area ranks #62 of 389 Minnesota districts by overall school rating. West Central Area's schools with real test data average 7.2/10 across 4 schools. Its top-rated schools are West Central Area S. El. (9.4/10), West Central Area N. El. (8.1/10), and West Central Area Secondary (6.9/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in West Central Area
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Central Area S. El. | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | West Central Area N. El. | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | West Central Area Secondary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Wca Middle School | 4.3 / 10 |
See all 4 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About West Central Area
West Central Area is a Barrett, Minnesota school district serving 4 schools.The district educates 750 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. District-level spending was $14,757 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 7.2/10, West Central Area is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is West Central Area S. El., which has a composite score of 9.4/10.
In standardized testing, West Central Area students show an average math proficiency of 60.0% and ELA proficiency of 63.2%.
The district includes 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in West Central Area, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in West Central Area with test data.
Schools in West Central Area
4 schoolsElementary Schools2
Middle Schools1
High Schools1
District Details
- State
- Minnesota
- City
- Barrett
- Total Enrollment
- 750
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- District spending per student
- $14,757NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 8.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in West Central Area?
West Central Area has 4 schools in total — 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for West Central Area?
The average composite rating for West Central Area is 7.2/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in West Central Area?
West Central Area's district-level spending was $14,757 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in West Central Area?
The average student-teacher ratio in West Central Area is 11:1.
What is the top-rated school in West Central Area?
West Central Area S. El. is the highest-rated school in West Central Area with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What are the test scores in West Central Area?
Across schools in West Central Area with test data, the average math proficiency is 60.0% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 63.2%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does West Central Area compare to other districts in Minnesota?
West Central Area has an average school rating of 7.2/10 across 4 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Minnesota by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 7.2/10
- Math Proficiency
- 60.0%
- ELA Proficiency
- 63.2%
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 rateOther School Districts in MN
Compare West Central Area with neighboring districts in the state.
- Saint Paul Public Schools (102)
- Minneapolis Public School District (98)
- Anoka-Hennepin School District (51)
- Intermediate School District 287 (50)
- Rochester Public School District (49)
- Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (40)
- Osseo Public School District (34)
- Elk River Public School District (31)
- South Washington County Schools (29)
- Robbinsdale Public School District (28)
- Duluth Public School District (27)
- Mounds View Public School District (27)
- Region 6 and 8-Sw/wc Service Coop (27)
- St. Cloud Public School District (27)
- Mankato Public School District (26)
- White Bear Lake School District (25)
- Bloomington Public School District (23)
- Eastern Carver County Public School (23)
- North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale (23)
- Wayzata Public School District (21)
- Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools (20)
- Lakeville Area Schools (20)
- Cambridge-Isanti Public School Dist (18)
- Centennial Public School District (18)
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.
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