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#1522 of 1,986 schools in MN

United South Central High School

High School · United South Central Schools

PO BOX 312, Wells, MN 56097

Enrollment

348

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

5.2

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wells

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#449 of 628

In district

#2 of 2

United South Central Schools

About United South Central High School

United South Central High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Wells, Minnesota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 348 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at United South Central High School is rated at 3.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it 1721st out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it in the 15th percentile.

In terms of proficiency rates, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 35% are proficient or above in Math. Despite its challenges, United South Central High School remains committed to providing a supportive learning environment for its rural community. The school's setting in a remote area means that it plays an important role as a central hub for educational and extracurricular activities for the local youth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, United South Central 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 Progress3.9Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,123

United South Central High School — Students at United South Central High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How United South Central High School Compares

See how United South Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in MN
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

PO BOX 312, Wells, MN 56097

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering United South Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maple River Secondary (rated 6.7/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Mapleton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blue Earth Area Secondary (rated 6.1/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Blue Earth), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY (rated 5.6/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Alden), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wells, see our Wells schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.3 mi
School Distance Rating
UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Wells 0.0 mi 7.9
ST CASIMIR'S SCHOOL Wells 0.6 mi
Next Step West (Alden) Alden 9.1 mi
First Step Alden Austin 9.1 mi
Enrich Alden Austin 9.1 mi
ALDEN-CONGER ELEMENTARY Alden 9.1 mi 5.9
ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY Alden 9.1 mi 5.6
SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville 19.0 mi
NRHEG SECONDARY New Richland 16.2 mi 3.8
Maple River Secondary Mapleton 16.8 mi 6.7
Maple River Elementary Mapleton 16.8 mi 6.0
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Albert Lea 18.4 mi 5.8
SIBLEY ELEMENTARY Albert Lea 18.4 mi 6.7
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea 18.6 mi 6.8
Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth 18.7 mi 6.1
ST. CLAIR ELEMENTARY Saint Clair 24.8 mi 6.0
ST. CLAIR SECONDARY Saint Clair 24.8 mi 3.5
Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Albert Lea 18.8 mi 7.2
BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE Blue Earth 19.3 mi 6.4
Blue Earth Area Early Childhood Spe Blue Earth 19.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56097 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,646

Median Home Value

$118,000

Median Rent

$761/mo

Population

3,593

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

79.8%

Avg Commute

19.8 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

46

Community Profile

The community surrounding United South Central High School has a median household income of $63,646. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,000, with a median rent of $761/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
ALC School Within a School Duluth, MN 5.2
BARNUM SECONDARY Barnum, MN 5.2
BLACKDUCK SECONDARY Blackduck, MN 5.2
EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY Finlayson, MN 5.2
Metro College Prep Minneapolis, MN 5.2
NEW LONDON-SPICER SR. New London, MN 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about United South Central High School

What grades does United South Central High School serve?

United South Central High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend United South Central High School?

United South Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at United South Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at United South Central High School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does United South Central High School rank in MN?

United South Central High School is ranked #1522 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is United South Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

United South Central High School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 United South Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, United South Central High School has 35.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is United South Central High School a charter school?

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

Is United South Central High School a Title I school?

No, United South Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for United South Central High School?

48.3% of students at United South Central 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
Average (292/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Faribault County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

United South Central Schools
District Enrollment
797
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,127
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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

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