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Average

#807 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 41% in state

Waconia Learning Center

High School · WACONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

504 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, Waconia, MN 55387

Enrollment

34

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waconia

#4 of 7

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#189 of 628

In district

#4 of 7

WACONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Waconia Learning Center

Waconia Learning Center is an alternative high school located in Waconia, Minnesota, on the edge of a more urban area. The school serves students in grades 9 through 12 and has an enrollment of just 34 students, providing a personalized educational experience with a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1. With four full-time equivalent teachers, the small class sizes allow for individualized attention.

Waconia Learning Center focuses on supporting students who may thrive in a more flexible learning environment. While the MySchoolScout rating is currently 5.0 out of 10 and the academic score is 2.7 out of 10, the school is committed to student development through alternative educational methods tailored to individual needs. Students here can find supportive teachers who help them navigate their unique challenges.

Waconia Learning Center sits in a town setting that offers both the charm of small-town life and proximity to urban amenities. The school’s location provides students with opportunities beyond its walls, enriching their overall education experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 34 students, Waconia Learning Center 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 Waconia Learning Center 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 8.5:1, Waconia Learning Center 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+2.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-19.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,956

Waconia Learning Center — Students at Waconia Learning Center score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 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
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%

* 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 Waconia Learning Center Compares

See how Waconia Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in MN
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

504 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, Waconia, MN 55387

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waconia Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.3/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Norwood Young America), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Waconia High School (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Mayer), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waconia, see our Waconia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Waconia High School Waconia 0.3 mi 6.9
Waconia Middle School Waconia 0.7 mi 5.9
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Waconia 1.5 mi 6.0
TRANSITIONS 110 Waconia 1.5 mi
BAYVIEW ELEMENTARY Waconia 1.9 mi 6.3
SOUTHVIEW ELEMENTARY Waconia 1.9 mi 7.1
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waconia 2.2 mi 7.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waconia 2.5 mi 6.0
Laketown Elementary Waconia 3.1 mi 7.8
MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Mayer 4.7 mi 6.4
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mayer 4.7 mi 4.2
COLOGNE ACADEMY Cologne 5.5 mi 8.2
Cologne Academy Online Cologne 5.5 mi
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cologne 6.8 mi 5.4
ST JOHN S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Young America 5.8 mi 5.9
CENTRAL MIDDLE Norwood Young America 6.3 mi 4.4
CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Norwood Young America 6.3 mi 7.3
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Norwood Young America 6.5 mi 7.3
CHRIST COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 8.3 mi 4.3
WATERTOWN-MAYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown 8.7 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,279

Median Home Value

$418,600

Median Rent

$1,306/mo

Population

14,697

College Educated

49.2%

Homeownership

82.6%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waconia Learning Center has a median household income of $109,279. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $418,600, with a median rent of $1,306/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. 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
CENTER SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN 6.8
KNIGHTS ACADEMY Saint Michael, MN 6.7
KOKESH AREA LEARNING CENTER Onamia, MN 6.9
CVSEC STEP Faribault, MN 7.0
Takoda Prep Minneapolis, MN 6.6
RONDO CAMPUS Minneapolis, MN 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waconia Learning Center

What grades does Waconia Learning Center serve?

Waconia Learning Center serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Waconia Learning Center?

Waconia Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waconia Learning Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Waconia Learning Center is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waconia Learning Center rank in MN?

Waconia Learning Center is ranked #807 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Waconia Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Waconia Learning Center has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Waconia Learning Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waconia Learning Center has 20.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waconia Learning Center a charter school?

No, Waconia Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waconia Learning Center a Title I school?

No, Waconia Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waconia Learning Center?

44.1% of students at Waconia Learning Center 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

County Safety
Average (365/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Carver County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WACONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
4,000
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,116
District Rank
#4 of 7

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

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