For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 4,116 students in Wadena County, MN (there are 3 private schools, serving 217 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Wadena County, MN are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Wadena County, MN are Sebeka Elementary School, Menahga Elementary School and Staples-motley Senior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wadena County, MN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Wadena County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public schools.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Wadena County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Sebeka Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
200 1st St Nw
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Grades: PK-6
| 237 students
Rank: #22.
Menahga Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
216 Aspen Ave Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Grades: PK-6
| 511 students
Rank: #33.
Staples-motley Senior High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
401 Centennial Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2431
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2431
Grades: 9-12
| 318 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: 5-12
| 12 students
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: 5-6
| 168 students
Rank: #66.
Staples-motley Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1025 4th St Ne
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Grades: PK-4
| 279 students
Rank: #77.
Sebeka Secondary
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 1st St Nw
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Grades: 7-12
| 245 students
Rank: #88.
Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | 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
Grades: PK-4
| 464 students
Rank: #99.
Motley-staples Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
401 Centennial Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Grades: 5-8
| 291 students
Rank: #1010.
Menahga High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
216 Aspen Ave Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(651) 334-3732
Menahga, MN 56464
(651) 334-3732
Grades: 7-12
| 434 students
Rank: #1111.
Verndale Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
411 Sw Brown St
Verndale, MN 56481
(218) 445-5184
Verndale, MN 56481
(218) 445-5184
Grades: PK-6
| 262 students
Rank: #1212.
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
600 Colfax Ave Sw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2300
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2300
Grades: 7-12
| 480 students
Rank: #1313.
Verndale Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
411 Sw Brown St
Verndale, MN 56481
(218) 445-5184
Verndale, MN 56481
(218) 445-5184
Grades: 7-12
| 247 students
Rank: #1414.
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
Grades: 6-12
| 82 students
Rank: #1515.
Leaf River Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Grades: K-12
| 19 students
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
Grades: PK
| 60 students
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
Grades: 2-12
| 7 students
Wadena County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1100 5th St Ne
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
104 Mini Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 296-1888
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 296-1888
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1100 Fifth St N.e.
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Freshwater Targeted Services (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1100 5th Street Ne Suite 2
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
216 Aspen Avenue Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Grades: 5-8
| 280 students
Mn Collaborative Online Learning (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
200 First Street Ne
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5469
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5469
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Wadena County, MN?
The top ranked public schools in Wadena County, MN include Sebeka Elementary School, Menahga Elementary School and Staples-motley Senior High School.
How many public schools are located in Wadena County?
17 public schools are located in Wadena County.
What percentage of students in Wadena County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Wadena County are educated in public schools (compared to the MN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wadena County?
Wadena County public schools minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wadena County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wadena County include: Wadena-deer Creek Senior High School vs. Verndale Secondary, Verndale Secondary vs. Wadena-deer Creek Senior High School, Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School vs. Verndale Elementary School
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