Average
#1091 of 1,986 schools in MN
West Central Area Secondary
High School · WEST CENTRAL AREA
301 COUNTY ROAD 2, Barrett, MN 56311
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Barrett
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#281 of 628
In district
#4 of 4
WEST CENTRAL AREA
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About West Central Area Secondary
West Central Area Secondary is a high school located in Barrett, Minnesota, in a remote rural setting. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 240 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1, with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at West Central Area Secondary places it in the 33rd percentile among Minnesota schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and an academic score of 5.3 out of 10.
In terms of proficiency rates, 70% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while the math proficiency rate is at 31%. With room for growth in certain areas, the school focuses on supporting its rural community through a dedicated teaching staff and personalized learning environment. West Central Area Secondary provides a nurturing setting where students can thrive within their remote community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Central Area Secondary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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West Central Area Secondary — Students at West Central Area Secondary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.9%
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: 3.5/10.
How West Central Area Secondary Compares
See how West Central Area Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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. ASHBY SECONDARY (rated 6.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Ashby), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Morris Area Secondary (rated 6.0/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Morris), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HERMAN SECONDARY (rated 5.7/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Herman), 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 | 6.3 |
| WEST CENTRAL AREA N. EL. Elbow Lake | 6.7 mi | 8.1 |
| ASHBY ELEMENTARY Ashby | 13.3 mi | 7.1 |
| ASHBY SECONDARY Ashby | 13.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Evansville Elementary Evansville | 12.1 mi | 4.8 |
| WEST CENTRAL AREA S. EL. Kensington | 13.1 mi | 8.8 |
| HERMAN ELEMENTARY Herman | 13.3 mi | 3.7 |
| HERMAN SECONDARY Herman | 13.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Brandon Elementary Brandon | 14.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Brandon-Evansville Middle School Brandon | 14.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Brandon-Evansville High School Brandon | 14.9 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL Morris | 22.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Morris Area Elementary Morris | 22.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Midwest Special Education Co-op Morris | 22.4 mi | — |
| Morris Area Secondary Morris | 22.5 mi | 6.0 |
| UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY Underwood | 25.9 mi | 5.3 |
| UNDERWOOD SECONDARY Underwood | 25.9 mi | 5.2 |
| ADAMS ELEMENTARY Fergus Falls | 26.8 mi | 5.2 |
| GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Garfield | 19.8 mi | 8.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Central Area Secondary has a median household income of $70,938. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,700, with a median rent of $1,283/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| ADRIAN SECONDARY Adrian, MN | 6.1 |
| BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha, MN | 6.1 |
| BURNSVILLE ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Eagan, MN | 6.1 |
| Community School of Excellence High Saint Paul, MN | 6.1 |
| HIGH SCHOOL FOR RECORDING ARTS Saint Paul, MN | 6.1 |
| MINNEOTA SECONDARY Minneota, MN | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #1091 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is West Central Area Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Central Area Secondary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 West Central Area Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Central Area Secondary has 31.3% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (213/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (320) 528-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WEST CENTRAL AREA- District Enrollment
- 750
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,757
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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