Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0Wadena’s public schools score below 60% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
33% of students in Wadena’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Wadena, 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.
From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.
Wadena’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 681 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Wadena’s, its schools beat 28%, lower than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Wadena’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,152 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High. See the path ↓
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.
What’s behind Wadena’s grade
C+: better than 40% of Minnesota school districts, #238 of 274 Minnesota towns. Both inputs trail the Minnesota average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Wadena, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary
Grades PK–4 · 450 students · 11:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary
Grades PK–4 · 450 students · 11:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary
Grades PK–4 · 450 students · 11:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary
Grades PK–4 · 450 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary
Grades PK–4 · 450 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek 5Th and 6Th Grade
Grades 5–6 · 159 students · 21:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek 5Th and 6Th Grade
Grades 5–6 · 159 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 470 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 470 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 470 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Wadena
Wadena-Deer Creek Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 470 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Wadena’s public schools are run by Wadena-Deer Creek School District, which also serves Bluffton, Bluffton, Compton and Deer Creek 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.
Well below the state in reading
Wadena vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Wadena’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Wadena | C+ | Wadena-Deer Creek |
| Leaf River | — | Wadena-Deer Creek |
| Wadena Township | — | Wadena-Deer Creek PK–12 · Verndale Public PK–12 |
| Compton | — | Wadena-Deer Creek |
All 3 neighbors share Wadena-Deer Creek with Wadena, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Wadena
5 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).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (White Pine Academy, Leaf River Academy, Elm Tree Academy and Freshwater Wadena ALC).
Questions about Wadena’s schools
Are Wadena’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Wadena children attend score below 60% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #238 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Wadena in?
Wadena-Deer Creek School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,079 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
What is Wadena’s graduation rate?
80–84% of the class of 2023 in Wadena-Deer Creek School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Wadena spend per student?
$15,152 in Wadena-Deer Creek School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Wadena families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Wadena → 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.