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Needs Improvement

#1966 of 1,986 schools in MN

Willow Creek Middle

Middle School · ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

2425 11TH AVE SE, Rochester, MN 55904

Enrollment

834

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

3.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rochester

#37 of 37

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#273 of 280

In district

#33 of 33

ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Willow Creek Middle

Willow Creek Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Rochester, Minnesota, with an enrollment of 834 students. The school operates as a regular public middle school with 47 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. Academically, Willow Creek is currently working to strengthen its performance.

Reading proficiency averages 37% of students meeting or exceeding state standards, while math proficiency stands at 24%. These figures suggest the school has room for academic growth and is focusing on student development in core subject areas. The school's current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2/10 reflects these early academic benchmarks.

Willow Creek is situated in Rochester's mid-size city setting, making it accessible to families throughout the area. The school's location at 2425 11th Avenue SE puts it within the broader Rochester community, where middle school students have the opportunity to build foundational skills during these important developmental years. Parents considering Willow Creek may want to connect directly with the school to learn about specific support programs, instructional approaches, and community involvement opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-23.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,165

Willow Creek Middle — Students at Willow Creek Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
28%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Willow Creek Middle Compares

See how Willow Creek Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in MN
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

2425 11TH AVE SE, Rochester, MN 55904

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow Creek Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Montessori at Franklin Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Longfellow 45-15 Districtwide Elem (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RPS Online Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rochester, see our Rochester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY Rochester 0.2 mi 6.5
FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Rochester 0.7 mi 7.3
Montessori at Franklin Elementary Rochester 0.7 mi 8.4
Longfellow 45-15 Districtwide Elem Rochester 0.9 mi 8.4
RPS Online Elementary School Rochester 0.9 mi 7.9
RPS Online Middle School Rochester 0.9 mi 6.9
RPS Online High School Rochester 0.9 mi 6.1
Mayo Senior High Rochester 1.2 mi 5.6
Rochester Phoenix Academy Rochester 1.1 mi 7.4
CARE & TREATMENT HOSPITAL/HOMEBOUND Rochester 1.1 mi
Care & Treatment at ESC Rochester 1.1 mi
Rochester Alternative Learning Cntr Rochester 1.3 mi 4.9
CREDIT RECOVERY Rochester 1.3 mi
Rochester ALC Recovery Program Rochester 1.3 mi
Lincoln K-8 District-Wide School Rochester 1.6 mi 5.9
Rochester Academy-Idp Living(RAIL) Rochester 1.7 mi 7.0
Middle School Right Fit Rochester 1.7 mi
ROCHESTER MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY Rochester 1.6 mi 6.0
ROCHESTER STEM ACADEMY Rochester 1.6 mi 4.9
AMBASSADOR ACADEMY Rochester 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55904 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,434

Median Home Value

$237,200

Median Rent

$1,253/mo

Population

29,682

College Educated

37.2%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

16.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

35.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Willow Creek Middle has a median household income of $76,434. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,200, with a median rent of $1,253/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Forest Lake Area Middle School Forest Lake, MN 3.1
Hmong College Prep Academy MS Saint Paul, MN 3.2
VANDENBERGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River, MN 3.3
ISANTI MIDDLE SCHOOL Isanti, MN 3.5
St. Francis Middle Saint Francis, MN 2.7
JOHN GLENN MIDDLE Maplewood, MN 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow Creek Middle

What grades does Willow Creek Middle serve?

Willow Creek Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Willow Creek Middle?

Willow Creek Middle has an enrollment of approximately 834 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Creek Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Creek Middle is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willow Creek Middle rank in MN?

Willow Creek Middle is ranked #1966 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Willow Creek Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Creek Middle has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Willow Creek Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Creek Middle has 23.7% math proficiency and 36.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Willow Creek Middle a charter school?

No, Willow Creek Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Willow Creek Middle a Title I school?

No, Willow Creek Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Creek Middle?

42.0% of students at Willow Creek Middle 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

City Safety
High (1,527/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rochester). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
834
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Olmsted County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
17,342
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,804
District Rank
#33 of 33

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 methodology

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