Average
#1616 of 1,986 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
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
464
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wadena
#3 of 4
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#837 of 962
In district
#2 of 3
WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Wadena-deer Creek Elementary
WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY is a regular public elementary school located in Wadena, Minnesota. Serving preschool through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 464 students and employs 38 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. The academic performance reflects that 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 49% are proficient or above in Math.
With these scores and its state ranking at 1495 out of 2027 schools (26th percentile), the school is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY is situated in a remote town, offering students a close-knit community setting. The neighborhood around the school lacks specific data but provides an environment that values education and community involvement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Wadena-deer Creek Elementary — Students at Wadena-deer Creek Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
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: 2.7/10.
How Wadena-deer Creek Elementary Compares
See how Wadena-deer Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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 8.3/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEBEKA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Sebeka), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby New York Mills), 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 | 5.0 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADE Wadena | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale | 6.7 mi | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale | 7.3 mi | — |
| BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha | 12.8 mi | 8.3 |
| BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha | 12.8 mi | 6.1 |
| SEBEKA ELEMENTARY Sebeka | 13.4 mi | 7.3 |
| SEBEKA SECONDARY Sebeka | 13.4 mi | 5.7 |
| NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills | 12.6 mi | 6.1 |
| NEW YORK MILLS ELEMENTARY New York Mills | 12.6 mi | 7.3 |
| MENAHGA HIGH SCHOOL Menahga | 21.6 mi | 6.7 |
| MENAHGA ELEMENTARY Menahga | 21.6 mi | 4.9 |
| HENNING ELEMENTARY Henning | 16.8 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 Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY Hopkins, MN | 5.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary School for Arts Anoka, MN | 5.0 |
| Monroe Elementary School - MSE Brooklyn Park, MN | 5.0 |
| NORTH TRAIL ELEMENTARY Farmington, MN | 5.0 |
| Park Terrace Elementary Spring Lake Park, MN | 5.0 |
| ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL New Ulm, MN | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #1616 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Wadena-deer Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Wadena-deer Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wadena-deer Creek Elementary has 48.7% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (218) 632-2400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,112
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,095
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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