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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$59,658

Freshwater Education District Alc — Students at Freshwater Education District Alc score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
76th percentile in MN
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,595/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wadena). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Freshwater Education District
District Enrollment
180
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$64,713
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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