Armstrong, W. J., Company Wholesale Grocers · Photo: Jatakuck · CC BY-SA 3.0Waseca’s public schools score below 64% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
In Waseca, 37% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Minnesota average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Waseca, 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 96% 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.
Waseca’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1026 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Waseca’s, its schools beat 20%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota (the state reports Waseca’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,143 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Waseca Junior High, then Waseca Senior High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Team Academy and Sacred Heart School (private) are 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.
What’s behind Waseca’s grade
C+: better than 36% of Minnesota school districts, #246 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 Waseca, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Waseca
Hartley Elementary
Grades PK–3 · 429 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Waseca
Hartley Elementary
Grades PK–3 · 429 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Waseca
Hartley Elementary
Grades PK–3 · 429 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Waseca
Hartley Elementary
Grades PK–3 · 429 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Waseca
Waseca Intermediate School
Grades 4–6 · 380 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Waseca
Waseca Intermediate School
Grades 4–6 · 380 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Waseca
Waseca Intermediate School
Grades 4–6 · 380 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Waseca
Waseca Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 280 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Waseca
Waseca Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 280 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Waseca
Waseca Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 555 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Waseca
Waseca Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 555 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Waseca
Waseca Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 555 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Waseca
Waseca Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 555 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Waseca’s public schools are run by Waseca Public School District, which also serves Blooming Grove, Iosco, Otisco and St. Mary 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
Waseca vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Waseca’s borders.
Every school in Waseca
8 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (SWMetro Waseca, SWMetro Waseca-Transitions and Waseca Middle Level Alc).
Questions about Waseca’s schools
Are Waseca’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waseca children attend score below 64% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #246 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 20%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waseca in?
Waseca Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,752 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Waseca kids go to high school?
Waseca Senior High, with 555 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Waseca’s graduation rate?
75–79% of the class of 2023 in Waseca Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Waseca spend per student?
$15,143 in Waseca Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Waseca?
Yes: Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–4, 109 students). Waseca also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Waseca families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waseca → 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.