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Schools in Waconia · Waconia Public School District

Waconia’s public schools outscore 92% of Minnesota districts

In Waconia, 62% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Waconia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.

#20of 274 Minnesota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
63%
▲ 12 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
62%
▲ 17 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Graduate on time
94%
▲ 11 pts vs MN 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.5K
▼ 27% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.4
MN 14.8
Schools in town
9
3,877 students on the public path
In brief

Waconia’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 63% and math 62% in spring 2022, against 51% and 45% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,464 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Waconia Middle School, then Waconia High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Trinity Lutheran School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Waconia’s grade

A Test scoresA Graduation

A: better than 92% of Minnesota school districts, #20 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Minnesota average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 92%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (1263)Better than 95%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,064 test results and a graduating class of 346 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Waconia’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,023 in math, 2,104 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Waconia, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A+
6–8Waconia Middle SchoolWaconia Public School DistrictA−
9–12Waconia High SchoolWaconia Public School DistrictA−

Waconia’s public schools are run by Waconia Public School District, which also serves Camden, Dahlgren, Laketown and New Germany and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Waconia Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 10 schools · 3,984 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 14.4 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$12,464MN $17,091 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading63%
State average 51.1% · 2104 students tested
Math62%
State average 44.8% · 2023 students tested

Waconia vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Waconia’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WaconiaAWaconia Public
LaketownAWaconia Public PK–12 · Eastern Carver County PK–12

Every school in Waconia

9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Waconiaby address
Waconia Early Learning Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
53 studentsRate it →
Southview Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
A−
544 students15:1Rate it →
Bayview Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
A+
530 students12:1Rate it →
Laketown Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
A+
530 students13:1Rate it →
Waconia Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
885 students14:1Rate it →
Waconia High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,335 students17:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Early Childhood Special Education
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Special Education
67 students12:1Rate it →
Waconia Learning Center
High · Grades 9–12
C−
Alternative Education
25 students6:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Trinity Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
391 students21:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Transitions 110 and Waconia Learning Center SS/AS).

Questions about Waconia’s schools

Are Waconia’s schools good?

By Minnesota’s own tests, yes: the public schools Waconia children attend outscore 92% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #20 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Waconia in?

Waconia Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,984 students in 10 schools (2024–25).

Where do Waconia kids go to high school?

Waconia High School, with 1,335 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Waconia’s graduation rate?

94% of the class of 2023 in Waconia Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.

How much does Waconia spend per student?

$12,464 in Waconia Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Waconia?

Yes: Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 391 students).

Parents talk

What Waconia families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waconia → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.