For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 1,279 students in Wadena, MN (there are 1 private school, serving 28 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Wadena, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Wadena, MN are White Pine Academy, Wadena-deer Creek 5th And 6th Grade and Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wadena, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Wadena have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Wadena, MN (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
White Pine Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: 5-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Wadena-deer Creek 5th And 6th Grade
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 Colfax Ave Sw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2400
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2400
Gr: 5-6 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
215 Colfax Ave Sw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2400
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2400
Gr: PK-4 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
600 Colfax Ave Sw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2300
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2300
Gr: 7-12 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #55.
Freshwater Education District Alc
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: 6-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Leaf River Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: K-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Special Education
Special Education School
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: PK | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: n/an/a
Elm Tree Academy
Special Education School
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: 2-12 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Aitkin Credit Recovery
Alternative School
306 2nd St Nw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Browerville Credit Recovery
Alternative School
620 Park Ave N
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Pequot Lakes Credit Recovery
Alternative School
30805 Olson St
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Pierz Credit Recovery
Alternative School
112 Kamnic St
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Pillager Credit Recovery
Alternative School
323 E 2nd St
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Royalton Credit Recovery
Alternative School
120 S Hawthorn St
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Underwood Credit Recovery
Alternative School
100 Southern Ave E
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
Fed Bertha-hewitt Credit Recovery
Alternative School
310 Central Ave S
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
Fed Norman County East Credit Rec
Alternative School
408 Main Ave W
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
Freshwater Long Prairie Alc
Alternative School
308 1st St S
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
Freshwater Menahga Alc
Alternative School
216 Aspen Ave Se
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
Freshwater Staples Alc
Alternative School
1830 Airport Rd, Ste 2
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Rank: n/an/a
Freshwater Wadena Alc
Alternative School
624 Jefferson St N
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Wadena, MN?
The top-ranked public schools in Wadena, MN include White Pine Academy, Wadena-deer Creek 5th And 6th Grade and Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Wadena?
22 public schools are located in Wadena.
What percentage of students in Wadena go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Wadena are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wadena?
Wadena public schools minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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