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Average

#1308 of 1,992 schools in MN

Wadena-deer Creek Elementary

Elementary School · WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT

215 COLFAX AVE SW, Wadena, MN 56482

Enrollment

464

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,308 of 1,992

In Wadena

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Wadena-deer Creek Elementary

5.6/10

Elementary School in Wadena · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wadena-deer Creek Senior High

6.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wadena-deer Creek 5th and 6th Grade

5.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wadena-deer Creek Elementary

Wadena-deer Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Wadena, MN, part of WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT. Wadena-deer Creek Elementary serves approximately 464 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Wadena-deer Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,308 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Wadena-deer Creek Elementary show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below MN schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • MN avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,095
Chronic Absenteeism16.6%

Wadena-deer Creek Elementary — Students at Wadena-deer Creek Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
64%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
42%
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: 3.8/10.

How Wadena-deer Creek Elementary Compares

See how Wadena-deer Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in MN
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

Location

215 COLFAX AVE SW, Wadena, MN 56482

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wadena-deer Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BERTHA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEBEKA ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Sebeka), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MENAHGA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Menahga), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wadena, see our Wadena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH Wadena 0.3 mi 6.4
WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE Wadena 0.3 mi 5.6
Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena 1.5 mi 6.5
White Pine Academy Wadena 1.5 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena 1.5 mi
LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena 1.5 mi
Elm Tree Academy Wadena 1.5 mi
GREEN MEADOW Wadena 4.6 mi
VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale 6.7 mi 4.6
VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale 6.7 mi 5.9
VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale 7.3 mi
BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha 12.8 mi 9.0
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha 12.8 mi 7.4
SEBEKA ELEMENTARY Sebeka 13.4 mi 9.0
SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka 13.4 mi 7.4
NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills 12.6 mi 7.5
NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY New York Mills 12.6 mi 6.9
MENAHGA HIGH SCHOOL Menahga 21.6 mi 6.3
MENAHGA ELEMENTARY Menahga 21.6 mi 7.9
HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning 16.8 mi 6.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ALBERTVILLE PRIMARY Albertville, MN 5.6
EDGERTON ELEMENTARY Maplewood, MN 5.6
HILLSIDE ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove, MN 5.6
KENNEDY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Saint Joseph, MN 5.6
L.H. TANGLEN ELEMENTARY Minnetonka, MN 5.6
MATOSKA INTERNATIONAL White Bear Lake, MN 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wadena-deer Creek Elementary

What grades does Wadena-deer Creek Elementary serve?

Wadena-deer Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Wadena-deer Creek Elementary?

Wadena-deer Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 464 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek Elementary is 12.2:1. 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 Elementary rank in MN?

Wadena-deer Creek Elementary ranks #1,308 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Wadena-deer Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Wadena-deer Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Wadena-deer Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wadena-deer Creek Elementary has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Wadena-deer Creek Elementary a charter school?

No, Wadena-deer Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wadena-deer Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Wadena-deer Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wadena-deer Creek Elementary?

60.6% of students at Wadena-deer Creek Elementary 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
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
464
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Wadena County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

District

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

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