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#1454 of 1,986 schools in MN

Gfw High School

High School · GFW Public Schools

1001 N COTTONWOOD ST, Winthrop, MN 55396

Enrollment

225

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Winthrop

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#422 of 628

In district

#3 of 3

GFW Public Schools

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Gfw High School

GFW High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Winthrop, Minnesota. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 225 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, GFW High School provides a relatively personalized learning environment, supported by 17 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, GFW High School is ranked in the 19th percentile among Minnesota schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.7 out of 10. In terms of test performance, 48% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 33% achieve proficiency or higher in Math. The school is focusing on student development and has room for improvement in academic areas.

GFW High School sits in a remote rural setting where the community values close-knit relationships and support for local education initiatives.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gfw High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-14.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,973

Gfw High School — Students at Gfw High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
42%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Gfw High School Compares

See how Gfw High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in MN
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

1001 N COTTONWOOD ST, Winthrop, MN 55396

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gfw High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. RIVER BEND AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 7.2/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby New Ulm), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby New Ulm), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MINNESOTA VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby New Ulm), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Winthrop, see our Winthrop schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GFW Middle School Winthrop 0.0 mi 6.1
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Gaylord 7.2 mi 6.3
GFW Elementary School Gibbon 7.7 mi 8.5
PRAIRIE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Gibbon 7.9 mi 6.2
SIBLEY EAST-GAYLORD ELEMENTARY Gaylord 8.0 mi 8.9
Washington Learning Center New Ulm 16.1 mi 6.7
NEW ULM AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS New Ulm 16.4 mi 6.3
AMAZING GRACE VIRTUAL ACADEMY New Ulm 17.7 mi 4.6
RIVER BEND AREA LEARNING CENTER New Ulm 17.3 mi 7.2
RIVER BEND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROG. New Ulm 17.3 mi
IMPRINTS PROGRAM New Ulm 17.3 mi
W.O.R.K. Program New Ulm 17.3 mi
R.I.S.E. Program New Ulm 17.3 mi
Raptor Program New Ulm 17.3 mi
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL New Ulm 17.1 mi 5.0
MINNESOTA VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL New Ulm 17.7 mi 5.9
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY New Ulm 17.2 mi 6.8
NEW ULM MIDDLE SCHOOL New Ulm 17.2 mi 7.3
NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL New Ulm 16.9 mi 6.0
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arlington 14.6 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55396 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,232

Median Home Value

$188,000

Median Rent

$808/mo

Population

2,162

College Educated

19.5%

Homeownership

83.6%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gfw High School has a median household income of $72,232. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,000, with a median rent of $808/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
EDGERTON SECONDARY Edgerton, MN 5.4
FIT Academy High School Apple Valley, MN 5.4
HENNING SECONDARY Henning, MN 5.4
MADELIA SECONDARY Madelia, MN 5.4
MAHNOMEN SECONDARY Mahnomen, MN 5.4
RENVILLE COUNTY WEST SENIOR HIGH Renville, MN 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gfw High School

What grades does Gfw High School serve?

Gfw High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Gfw High School?

Gfw High School has an enrollment of approximately 225 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gfw High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gfw High School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gfw High School rank in MN?

Gfw High School is ranked #1454 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Gfw High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gfw High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Gfw High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gfw High School has 32.8% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gfw High School a charter school?

No, Gfw High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gfw High School a Title I school?

No, Gfw High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gfw High School?

41.3% of students at Gfw High School 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

City Safety
Low (226/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
225
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Sibley County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GFW Public Schools
District Enrollment
611
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,040
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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