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Very Good

#365 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 18% in state

West Central Area Secondary

High School · WEST CENTRAL AREA

301 COUNTY ROAD 2, Barrett, MN 56311

Enrollment

240

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#365 of 1,992

In Barrett

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

WEST CENTRAL AREA

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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West Central Area Secondary

7.5/10

High School in Barrett · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wca Middle School

7.0/10

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

West Central Area N. El.

9.4/10

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

About West Central Area Secondary

West Central Area Secondary is a public high school in Barrett, MN, part of WEST CENTRAL AREA. West Central Area Secondary serves approximately 240 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. West Central Area Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #365 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for West Central Area Secondary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts above MN schools
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

West Central Area Secondary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency44% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness9.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,757
Chronic Absenteeism27.5%

West Central Area Secondary — Students at West Central Area Secondary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5% (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
62%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2018
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
72%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How West Central Area Secondary Compares

See how West Central Area Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
82th percentile in MN
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

301 COUNTY ROAD 2, Barrett, MN 56311

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Central Area Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Morris Area Secondary (rated 7.4/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Morris), with a very similar rating. Another option is Brandon-Evansville High School (rated 7.1/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Brandon), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ASHBY SECONDARY (rated 6.9/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Ashby), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Barrett, see our Barrett schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WCA Middle School Barrett 0.0 mi 7.0
WEST CENTRAL AREA N. EL. Elbow Lake 6.7 mi 9.4
ASHBY ELEMENTARY Ashby 13.3 mi 6.5
ASHBY SECONDARY Ashby 13.3 mi 6.9
Evansville Elementary Evansville 12.1 mi 5.9
WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. Kensington 13.1 mi 6.0
HERMAN ELEMENTARY Herman 13.3 mi 4.6
HERMAN SECONDARY Herman 13.3 mi 5.8
Brandon Elementary Brandon 14.9 mi 5.2
Brandon-Evansville Middle School Brandon 14.9 mi 6.5
Brandon-Evansville High School Brandon 14.9 mi 7.1
ST MARYS SCHOOL Morris 22.2 mi 7.3
Morris Area Elementary Morris 22.4 mi 5.4
Midwest Special Education Co-op Morris 22.4 mi
Morris Area Secondary Morris 22.5 mi 7.4
UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY Underwood 25.9 mi 6.4
UNDERWOOD SECONDARY Underwood 25.9 mi 6.6
ADAMS ELEMENTARY Fergus Falls 26.8 mi 5.5
GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Garfield 19.8 mi 7.7
HILLCREST LUTHERAN ACADEMY Fergus Falls 27.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,938

Median Home Value

$172,700

Median Rent

$1,283/mo

Population

645

College Educated

12%

Homeownership

86.2%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

56.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CROMWELL-WRIGHT SECONDARY Cromwell, MN 7.5
FOCUS BEYOND Saint Paul, MN 7.5
NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills, MN 7.5
OGILVIE SECONDARY Ogilvie, MN 7.5
ADRIAN SECONDARY Adrian, MN 7.4
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha, MN 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Central Area Secondary

What grades does West Central Area Secondary serve?

West Central Area Secondary serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Central Area Secondary?

West Central Area Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Central Area Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at West Central Area Secondary is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Central Area Secondary rank in MN?

West Central Area Secondary ranks #365 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is West Central Area Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

West Central Area Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 West Central Area Secondary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Central Area Secondary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is West Central Area Secondary a charter school?

No, West Central Area Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Central Area Secondary a Title I school?

No, West Central Area Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Central Area Secondary?

37.9% of students at West Central Area Secondary 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Grant County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.5%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

WEST CENTRAL AREA
District Enrollment
750
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,757
District Rank
#2 of 4

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