Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.04 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 & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio3.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,150

Minnewaska Area Win Academy — Students at Minnewaska Area Win Academy 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 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.7%
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
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
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: 9.7/10.

How Minnewaska Area Win Academy Compares

See how Minnewaska Area Win Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in MN
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
4:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (290/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.