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, Staples-motley Senior High School and Menahga Elementary 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 38% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), 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
Quick Facts
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
Gr: PK-6 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Staples-motley Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
401 Centennial Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2431
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2431
Gr: 9-12 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Menahga Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
216 Aspen Ave Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Gr: PK-6 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
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
Gr: 5-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Menahga High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
216 Aspen Ave Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(651) 334-3732
Menahga, MN 56464
(651) 334-3732
Gr: 7-12 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
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 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Sebeka Secondary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 1st St Nw
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Gr: 7-12 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: PK-4 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
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 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Motley-staples Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
401 Centennial Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Gr: 5-8 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1111.
Verndale Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
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
Gr: 7-12 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
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
Gr: 6-12 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1515.
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 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
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 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Wadena County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1100 Fifth St N.e.
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2439
Gr: 9-12
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
216 Aspen Avenue Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Gr: 5-8 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Mn Collaborative Online Learning (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
200 First Street Ne
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5469
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5469
Gr: 9-12
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, Staples-motley Senior High School and Menahga Elementary 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, Verndale Elementary School vs. Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School
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