Average
#1617 of 1,986 schools in MN
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High
High School · WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
600 COLFAX AVE SW, Wadena, MN 56482
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wadena
#4 of 4
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#495 of 628
In district
#3 of 3
WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Wadena-deer Creek Senior High
Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High is a regular public school located in the rural community of Wadena, Minnesota. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 480 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.9:1. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to its students.
The academic performance at Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High reflects room for improvement, as indicated by a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1788 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (12th percentile). The school's academic score is 4.3 out of 10, with 49% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 35% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. While the data shows areas where improvement is needed, the school remains committed to supporting its students' growth and development within a close-knit community setting.
Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High is situated in a remote town where the tight-knit atmosphere fosters strong relationships between students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek Senior High is 22.9:1, 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
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Wadena-deer Creek Senior High — Students at Wadena-deer Creek Senior High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.1%
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: 4.8/10.
How Wadena-deer Creek Senior High Compares
See how Wadena-deer Creek Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
600 COLFAX AVE SW, Wadena, MN 56482
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wadena-deer Creek Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Freshwater Education District ALC (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MENAHGA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Menahga), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BERTHA SECONDARY (rated 6.1/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Bertha), 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 5TH AND 6TH GRADE Wadena | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 Senior High 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 |
|---|---|
| A.C.G.C. SECONDARY Grove City, MN | 5.0 |
| Blooming Prairie High School Blooming Prairie, MN | 5.0 |
| GOODHUE SECONDARY Goodhue, MN | 5.0 |
| HAYFIELD SECONDARY Hayfield, MN | 5.0 |
| LINCOLN SENIOR HIGH Thief River Falls, MN | 5.0 |
| RUSH CITY SECONDARY Rush City, MN | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wadena-deer Creek Senior High
What grades does Wadena-deer Creek Senior High serve?
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Wadena-deer Creek Senior High?
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 480 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek Senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Wadena-deer Creek Senior High is 22.9:1. 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 Senior High rank in MN?
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High is ranked #1617 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Wadena-deer Creek Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High 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 Senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wadena-deer Creek Senior High has 35.0% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wadena-deer Creek Senior High a charter school?
No, Wadena-deer Creek Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wadena-deer Creek Senior High a Title I school?
No, Wadena-deer Creek Senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wadena-deer Creek Senior High?
48.1% of students at Wadena-deer Creek Senior High 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
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 480
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Wadena County
- Phone
- (218) 632-2300
- 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
- #3 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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