Willow River Secondary

Willow River Secondary is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Willow River, Minnesota. Spanning grades seven through twelve, the school serves 191 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention from the fourteen full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While Willow River Secondary has room for academic growth, it focuses on developing well-rounded students in a close-knit community setting.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks 5.0 out of 10 and is positioned at #1244 out of 2027 schools statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 15% achieve this level in Math. Willow River Secondary stands out as a pillar of the community in its remote rural setting, providing a supportive environment for students to learn and grow.

With an enrollment of 191 students, Willow River Secondary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Willow River Secondary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Willow River 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.