Very Good
#664 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 33% in state
Minnewaska Area Win Academy
School · MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT
500 JOHN ST, Starbuck, MN 56381
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
3.7:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
3.7:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Starbuck
#1 of 2
public schools
Minnesota schools
#37 of 116
In district
#4 of 6
MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Minnewaska Area Win Academy
Minnewaska Area WIN Academy is an alternative school located in the remote town of Starbuck, Minnesota. The school serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade with a total enrollment of 41 students and a student-teacher ratio of 3.7:1. Minnewaska Area WIN Academy has eleven full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse range of learners.
While academic performance metrics indicate room for improvement—with an ELA proficiency rate of 17% and math proficiency at 10%, both significantly below state averages—the school focuses on providing a nurturing environment where each student can develop personally and academically. The MySchoolScout rating is currently 5.0 out of 10, placing the school in the 41st percentile among Minnesota schools. Minnewaska Area WIN Academy offers a unique setting for students who thrive in smaller, more personalized learning environments.
With its commitment to individualized support and community engagement, it aims to help each student reach their full potential despite current academic challenges.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 41 students, Minnewaska Area Win Academy 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 Minnewaska Area Win Academy 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 3.7:1, Minnewaska Area Win Academy 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Minnewaska Area Win Academy — Students at Minnewaska Area Win Academy 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: 9.7/10.
How Minnewaska Area Win Academy Compares
See how Minnewaska Area Win Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
500 JOHN ST, Starbuck, MN 56381
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Minnewaska Area Win Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. (rated 8.8/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Kensington), which scores notably higher. Another option is HANCOCK ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Hancock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Glenwood), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Starbuck, see our Starbuck schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY Starbuck | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| MINNEWASKA SECONDARY Glenwood | 4.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Minnewaska Area Intermediate School Glenwood | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
| MINNEWASKA AREA JUNIOR HIGH Glenwood | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| LAKE COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Starbuck | 8.2 mi | — |
| MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY Glenwood | 7.7 mi | 7.9 |
| MINNEWASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD SP.ED. Glenwood | 7.7 mi | 7.2 |
| WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. Kensington | 14.0 mi | 8.8 |
| HANCOCK ELEMENTARY Hancock | 14.6 mi | 8.2 |
| HANCOCK SEC. Hancock | 14.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Heartland Girls Ranch Benson | 20.1 mi | — |
| Alexandria Area High School Alexandria | 18.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Kalon Prep Academy Alexandria | 19.2 mi | 6.4 |
| BENSON SECONDARY Benson | 20.4 mi | 6.2 |
| BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER Benson | 20.4 mi | — |
| NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Benson | 20.5 mi | 6.4 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Alexandria | 19.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Lakes Country Academy - ALEX Fergus Falls | 20.2 mi | — |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Alexandria | 20.5 mi | 5.5 |
| WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alexandria | 20.2 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56381 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,348
Median Home Value
$226,000
Median Rent
$866/mo
Population
2,371
College Educated
20.4%
Homeownership
81.9%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
48.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Minnewaska Area Win Academy has a median household income of $78,348. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,000, with a median rent of $866/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Saint Paul Park, MN | 7.0 |
| Onamia Academy Onamia, MN | 7.0 |
| Alexander Learning Academy Faribault, MN | 7.1 |
| MPS METRO HA Minneapolis, MN | 7.1 |
| SOUTHVIEW CHRISTIAN Burnsville, MN | 7.1 |
| ST SCHOLASTICA HSC ACADEMY Isanti, MN | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Minnewaska Area Win Academy
What grades does Minnewaska Area Win Academy serve?
Minnewaska Area Win Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Minnewaska Area Win Academy?
Minnewaska Area Win Academy has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Minnewaska Area Win Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Minnewaska Area Win Academy is 3.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Minnewaska Area Win Academy rank in MN?
Minnewaska Area Win Academy is ranked #664 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Minnewaska Area Win Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Minnewaska Area Win Academy has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Minnewaska Area Win Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Minnewaska Area Win Academy has 10.0% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Minnewaska Area Win Academy a charter school?
No, Minnewaska Area Win Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Minnewaska Area Win Academy a Title I school?
No, Minnewaska Area Win Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Minnewaska Area Win Academy?
70.7% of students at Minnewaska Area Win Academy 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
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 41
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Pope County
- Phone
- (320) 239-2257
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MINNEWASKA SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,345
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,986
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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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