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Average

#924 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 46% in state

Willow River Secondary

High School · WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

8142 PINE ST, Willow River, MN 55795

Enrollment

191

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

6.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#924 of 1,992

In Willow River

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Willow River Secondary

6.4/10

High School in Willow River · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Willow River Elementary

7.0/10

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

Moose Lake Elementary

6.4/10

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

About Willow River Secondary

Willow River Secondary is a public high school in Willow River, MN, part of WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Willow River Secondary serves approximately 191 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow River Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #924 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Willow River Secondary show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with MN schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 191 students, Willow River Secondary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Willow River Secondary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Willow River 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 Progress6.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate69.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,797
Chronic Absenteeism21.5%

Willow River Secondary — Students at Willow River Secondary score 34% 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

40.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
52%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Willow River Secondary Compares

See how Willow River Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
54th percentile in MN
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

8142 PINE ST, Willow River, MN 55795

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow River Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CROMWELL-WRIGHT SECONDARY (rated 7.5/10, 24.9 miles away, in nearby Cromwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is BARNUM SECONDARY (rated 7.2/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MOOSE LAKE SECONDARY (rated 6.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Moose Lake), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Willow River, see our Willow River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 30.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY Willow River 0.0 mi 7.0
MOOSE LAKE ELEMENTARY Moose Lake 8.4 mi 6.4
MOOSE LAKE SECONDARY Moose Lake 8.4 mi 6.9
EAST CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Finlayson 9.6 mi 7.9
EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY Finlayson 9.6 mi 4.7
CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER Finlayson 9.6 mi 5.3
MCF-MOOSE LAKE/WILLOW RIVER Moose Lake 9.1 mi
FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY Finlayson 9.1 mi 8.0
BARNUM ELEMENTARY Barnum 14.6 mi 8.4
BARNUM SECONDARY Barnum 14.9 mi 7.2
Pine County Transition Program Hinckley 21.6 mi
HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SECONDARY Hinckley 21.6 mi 5.3
Empower Learning Center Hinckley 21.6 mi
HINCKLEY ELEMENTARY Hinckley 21.7 mi 4.3
CROMWELL-WRIGHT SECONDARY Cromwell 24.9 mi 7.5
CROMWELL-WRIGHT ELEMENTARY Cromwell 24.9 mi 6.5
Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Cloquet 31.1 mi
PINE CITY ELEMENTARY Pine City 35.0 mi 4.8
EARLY CHILDHOOD Pine City 35.0 mi
SOUTH TERRACE ELEMENTARY Carlton 30.1 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55795 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,485

Median Home Value

$223,900

Median Rent

$785/mo

Population

1,876

College Educated

13.8%

Homeownership

86.3%

Avg Commute

36.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

43.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AFSA HIGH SCHOOL Vadnais Heights, MN 6.4
BURNSVILLE ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Eagan, MN 6.4
FULDA SECONDARY Fulda, MN 6.4
Kingsland Junior/Senior High School Spring Valley, MN 6.4
LEROY SECONDARY Leroy, MN 6.4
MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Mayer, MN 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow River Secondary

What grades does Willow River Secondary serve?

Willow River Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Willow River Secondary?

Willow River Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 191 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow River Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow River Secondary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willow River Secondary rank in MN?

Willow River Secondary ranks #924 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Willow River Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow River Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Willow River Secondary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow River Secondary has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Willow River Secondary a charter school?

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

Is Willow River Secondary a Title I school?

No, Willow River Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow River Secondary?

40.3% of students at Willow River 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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
191
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pine County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.5%
4-Year Graduation
69.5%

District

WILLOW RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
415
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,797
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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