Average
#1613 of 1,986 schools in MN
Verndale Secondary
High School · VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
411 SW BROWN ST, Verndale, MN 56481
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Verndale
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#492 of 628
In district
#2 of 2
VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Verndale Secondary
Verndale Secondary is a rural high school located in the heart of Verndale, Minnesota. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 247 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. The campus sits on SW Brown Street, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where each student is known personally.
Verndale Secondary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse group of students. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1900 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, the school is working to enhance academic performance. In recent assessments, 40% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 27% showed proficiency or better in Math.
These numbers indicate there's room for improvement and a strong commitment to student development. The rural setting around Verndale provides a unique backdrop for learning, with the natural beauty and tight-knit community offering plenty of opportunities beyond the classroom. Whether it’s through local events or outdoor activities, Verndale Secondary is deeply rooted in its surrounding area, fostering a sense of belonging among students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Verndale Secondary 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
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Verndale Secondary — Students at Verndale Secondary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.9/10.
How Verndale Secondary Compares
See how Verndale Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
411 SW BROWN ST, Verndale, MN 56481
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Verndale Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Freshwater Education District ALC (rated 7.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Wadena), which scores notably higher. Another option is STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.1/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Staples), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BERTHA SECONDARY (rated 6.1/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Verndale, see our Verndale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale | 0.9 mi | — |
| Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena | 5.7 mi | 7.3 |
| White Pine Academy Wadena | 5.7 mi | — |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena | 5.7 mi | — |
| LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena | 5.7 mi | — |
| Elm Tree Academy Wadena | 5.7 mi | — |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY Wadena | 6.7 mi | 5.0 |
| BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha | 9.2 mi | 8.3 |
| BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha | 9.2 mi | 6.1 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena | 7.0 mi | 5.0 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE Wadena | 7.0 mi | 5.4 |
| GREEN MEADOW Wadena | 9.5 mi | — |
| STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH Staples | 10.8 mi | 7.1 |
| MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Staples | 10.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Staples-Motley Elementary Staples | 10.8 mi | 7.5 |
| SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples | 11.0 mi | 7.1 |
| SEBEKA ELEMENTARY Sebeka | 16.7 mi | 7.3 |
| SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka | 16.7 mi | 5.7 |
| BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY Browerville | 22.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56481 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,688
Median Home Value
$165,600
Median Rent
$585/mo
Population
2,333
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
87.3%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Verndale Secondary has a median household income of $69,688. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,600, with a median rent of $585/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| AFSA HIGH SCHOOL Vadnais Heights, MN | 5.1 |
| Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Seconda Hector, MN | 5.1 |
| CARLTON SECONDARY Carlton, MN | 5.1 |
| CLEARBROOK-GONVICK SECONDARY Clearbrook, MN | 5.1 |
| DAWSON-BOYD SECONDARY Dawson, MN | 5.1 |
| MARTIN COUNTY WEST SENIOR HIGH Sherburn, MN | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Verndale Secondary
What grades does Verndale Secondary serve?
Verndale Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Verndale Secondary?
Verndale Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Verndale Secondary?
The student-teacher ratio at Verndale Secondary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Verndale Secondary rank in MN?
Verndale Secondary is ranked #1613 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Verndale Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Verndale Secondary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Verndale Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Verndale Secondary has 27.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Verndale Secondary a charter school?
No, Verndale Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Verndale Secondary a Title I school?
No, Verndale Secondary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Verndale Secondary?
52.2% of students at Verndale Secondary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (196/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Verndale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 247
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wadena County
- Phone
- (218) 445-5184
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
VERNDALE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,766
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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