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Very Good

#606 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 30% in state

Gfw High School

High School · GFW Public Schools

1001 N COTTONWOOD ST, Winthrop, MN 55396

Enrollment

225

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#606 of 1,992

In Winthrop

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

GFW Public Schools

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Gfw High School

7.0/10

High School in Winthrop · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gfw Middle School

6.2/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Immanuel Lutheran School

6.3/10

7.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Gfw High School

Gfw High School is a public high school in Winthrop, MN, part of GFW Public Schools. Gfw High School serves approximately 225 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Gfw High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #606 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Gfw High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts above MN schools
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Gfw High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Gfw High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness9.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,040
Chronic Absenteeism28.4%

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 31.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
54.5%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
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: 6.5/10.

How Gfw High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
70th percentile in MN
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby New Ulm), which scores slightly higher. Another option is RIVER BEND AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 6.7/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby New Ulm), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MINNESOTA VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby New Ulm), a more accessible option. 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 6.2
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Gaylord 7.2 mi 6.3
GFW Elementary School Gibbon 7.7 mi 6.3
PRAIRIE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Gibbon 7.9 mi 6.2
SIBLEY EAST-GAYLORD ELEMENTARY Gaylord 8.0 mi 6.6
Washington Learning Center New Ulm 16.1 mi 5.1
NEW ULM AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS New Ulm 16.4 mi 6.2
AMAZING GRACE VIRTUAL ACADEMY New Ulm 17.7 mi 4.6
RIVER BEND AREA LEARNING CENTER New Ulm 17.3 mi 6.7
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 4.9
MINNESOTA VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL New Ulm 17.7 mi 5.9
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY New Ulm 17.2 mi 4.9
NEW ULM MIDDLE SCHOOL New Ulm 17.2 mi 7.7
NEW ULM HIGH SCHOOL New Ulm 16.9 mi 8.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BROWERVILLE SECONDARY Browerville, MN 7.0
CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake, MN 7.0
CLEVELAND SECONDARY Cleveland, MN 7.0
EDGERTON SECONDARY Edgerton, MN 7.0
LE SUEUR-HENDERSON HIGH SCHOOL Le Sueur, MN 7.0
Moorhead ALC Moorhead, MN 7.0

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 ranks #606 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Gfw High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gfw High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Gfw High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gfw High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.4%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

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