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#1429 of 1,986 schools in MN

Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade

Middle School · WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT

600 COLFAX AVE SW, Wadena, MN 56482

Enrollment

168

Student-Teacher

28:1

Score

5.4

Grades

5th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wadena

#2 of 4

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#140 of 280

In district

#1 of 3

WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade

WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE is a middle school located in the remote town of Wadena, Minnesota. With an enrollment of 168 students and a student-teacher ratio of 28 to 1, the school aims to provide personalized education for its fifth and sixth graders. The campus sits at 600 Colfax Avenue SW, offering a warm and inviting setting for young learners.

The academic performance of WADENA-DEER CREEK is currently rated 4.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 25th percentile among Minnesota schools. The school’s ELA/reading proficiency rate stands at 59%, while math proficiency sits at 30%. With room for academic growth, WADENA-DEER CREEK is committed to supporting its students as they navigate their early middle school years.

Located in a small, tight-knit community, WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE benefits from strong local support and involvement. The setting offers a nurturing environment where students can build foundational skills and feel connected within the school community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 168 students, Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade is 28:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,549

Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade — Students at Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
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
37%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
57%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade Compares

See how Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in MN
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

600 COLFAX AVE SW, Wadena, MN 56482

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BERTHA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freshwater Education District ALC (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SEBEKA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Sebeka), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wadena, see our Wadena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena 0.0 mi 5.0
WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY Wadena 0.3 mi 5.0
Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena 1.7 mi 7.3
White Pine Academy Wadena 1.7 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena 1.7 mi
LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena 1.7 mi
Elm Tree Academy Wadena 1.7 mi
GREEN MEADOW Wadena 4.5 mi
VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale 7.0 mi 5.1
VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale 7.0 mi 5.1
VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale 7.6 mi
SEBEKA ELEMENTARY Sebeka 13.3 mi 7.3
SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka 13.3 mi 5.7
BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha 13.0 mi 8.3
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha 13.0 mi 6.1
NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills 12.3 mi 6.1
NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY New York Mills 12.3 mi 7.3
MENAHGA HIGH SCHOOL Menahga 21.5 mi 6.7
MENAHGA ELEMENTARY Menahga 21.5 mi 4.9
HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning 16.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56482 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,356

Median Home Value

$168,000

Median Rent

$699/mo

Population

7,494

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

18.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade has a median household income of $56,356. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,000, with a median rent of $699/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
CHISHOLM ELEMENTARY Chisholm, MN 5.4
Hennepin Schools Upper Campus Minneapolis, MN 5.4
ROYALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Royalton, MN 5.6
Saint Paul Online Middle School Saint Paul, MN 5.2
TRITON MIDDLE SCHOOL Dodge Center, MN 5.7
RUSHFORD-PETERSON MIDDLE Rushford, MN 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade

What grades does Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade serve?

Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade?

Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade?

The student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade is 28:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade rank in MN?

Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade is ranked #1429 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade's MySchoolScout rating?

Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade has 30.3% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade a charter school?

No, Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade a Title I school?

No, Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade?

50.0% of students at Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade 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
High (1,595/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Wadena County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,112
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,095
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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