Very Good
#486 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 24% in state
Freshwater Education District Alc
High School · Freshwater Education District
2222 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, Wadena, MN 56482
Enrollment
82
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
82
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wadena
#1 of 4
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#81 of 628
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Freshwater Education District Alc
Freshwater Education District ALC is an alternative school located in Wadena, Minnesota, with a rural setting near the town. The school serves students from grade 6 through 12 and has an enrollment of 82 students, maintaining a small class size with a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1. This intimate learning environment allows for personalized attention and support.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.0 out of 10, placing it in the 41st percentile among Minnesota schools, suggesting room for academic growth. On state assessments, Freshwater Education District ALC shows that 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and only 8% in Math. Despite these challenges, the school focuses on student development and provides a supportive atmosphere tailored to individual needs.
Freshwater Education District ALC is situated in a rural area with limited neighborhood data available, making it ideal for families seeking an alternative educational setting away from larger urban environments.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 82 students, Freshwater Education District Alc is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Freshwater Education District Alc are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Freshwater Education District Alc offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Freshwater Education District Alc — Students at Freshwater Education District Alc score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Freshwater Education District Alc Compares
See how Freshwater Education District Alc performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
2222 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, Wadena, MN 56482
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Freshwater Education District Alc may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MENAHGA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Menahga), with a comparable rating. Another option is BERTHA SECONDARY (rated 6.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Bertha), a more accessible option. Additionally, NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY (rated 6.1/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby New York Mills), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wadena, see our Wadena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| White Pine Academy Wadena | 0.0 mi | — |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena | 0.0 mi | — |
| LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena | 0.0 mi | — |
| Elm Tree Academy Wadena | 0.0 mi | — |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY Wadena | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE Wadena | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| GREEN MEADOW Wadena | 4.4 mi | — |
| VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale | 6.4 mi | — |
| BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha | 11.3 mi | 8.3 |
| BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha | 11.3 mi | 6.1 |
| SEBEKA ELEMENTARY Sebeka | 14.7 mi | 7.3 |
| SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka | 14.7 mi | 5.7 |
| NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills | 13.7 mi | 6.1 |
| NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY New York Mills | 13.7 mi | 7.3 |
| HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning | 16.6 mi | 7.1 |
| HENNING SECONDARY Henning | 16.6 mi | 5.4 |
| MENAHGA HIGH SCHOOL Menahga | 23.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56482 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,356
Median Home Value
$168,000
Median Rent
$699/mo
Population
7,494
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
18.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Freshwater Education District Alc 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academic Excellence Online Duluth, MN | 7.3 |
| BLOOMINGTON TRANSITION CENTER Bloomington, MN | 7.3 |
| Osseo Education Center Osseo, MN | 7.3 |
| SAGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn Park, MN | 7.3 |
| Secondary Virtual School Anoka, MN | 7.3 |
| The Next Step North Saint Paul, MN | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Freshwater Education District Alc
What grades does Freshwater Education District Alc serve?
Freshwater Education District Alc serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Freshwater Education District Alc?
Freshwater Education District Alc has an enrollment of approximately 82 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Education District Alc?
The student-teacher ratio at Freshwater Education District Alc is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Freshwater Education District Alc rank in MN?
Freshwater Education District Alc is ranked #486 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Freshwater Education District Alc's MySchoolScout rating?
Freshwater Education District Alc has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Freshwater Education District Alc?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Freshwater Education District Alc has 8.3% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Freshwater Education District Alc a charter school?
No, Freshwater Education District Alc is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Freshwater Education District Alc a Title I school?
No, Freshwater Education District Alc is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Freshwater Education District Alc?
70.7% of students at Freshwater Education District Alc qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 82
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Wadena County
- Phone
- (218) 631-3505
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Freshwater Education District- District Enrollment
- 180
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $64,713
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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