Top Rankings
Wadena-Deer Creek School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 632 students in Wadena-Deer Creek School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Minnesota.
Public Elementary Schools in Wadena-Deer Creek School District have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MN)
# Schools
3 Schools
1,655 Schools
# Students
1,112 Students
571,925 Students
# Teachers
66 Teachers
40,363 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Wadena-Deer Creek School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 520 school districts in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has increased from 80-84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#308 out of 525 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
41%
Graduation Rate
82%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.26
0.61
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
n/a
7%
% Hispanic
5%
12%
% Black
1%
12%
% White
86%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,819 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,854. The school district revenue/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,482 is less than the state median of $18,580. The school district spending/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$17 MM
$15,547 MM
Spending
$16 MM
$16,179 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,819
$17,854
Spending / Student
$14,482
$18,580
Best Wadena-Deer Creek School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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
Grades: PK-4
| 464 students
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.