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Best Public Schools in Wadena County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Wadena County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 32 public schools serving 4,116 students in Wadena County, MN (there are 1 private school, serving 120 private students). 97% 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 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Wadena County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sebeka Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
200 1st St Nw
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Gr: PK-6 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Staples-motley Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
401 Centennial Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-2431
Gr: 9-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Menahga Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
216 Aspen Ave Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(218) 564-4141
Gr: PK-6 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
White Pine Academy
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: 5-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Menahga High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
216 Aspen Ave Se
Menahga, MN 56464
(651) 334-3732
Gr: 7-12 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Wadena-deer Creek 5th And 6th Grade
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
600 Colfax Ave Sw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2400
Gr: 5-6 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #77.
Sebeka Secondary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
200 1st St Nw
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101
Gr: 7-12 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
Staples-motley Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1025 4th St Ne
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Gr: PK-4 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #99.
Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
215 Colfax Ave Sw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2400
Gr: PK-4 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Staples-motley Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Centennial Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-5400
Gr: 5-8 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
Verndale Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
411 Sw Brown St
Verndale, MN 56481
(218) 445-5184
Gr: PK-6 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1212.
Wadena-deer Creek Senior High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
600 Colfax Ave Sw
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-2300
Gr: 7-12 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1313.
Verndale Secondary
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
411 Sw Brown St
Verndale, MN 56481
(218) 445-5184
Gr: 7-12 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1414.
Freshwater Education District Alc
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2222 Industrial Drive
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505
Gr: 6-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1515.
Leaf River Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2222 Industrial Drive
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
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
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
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Browerville Credit Recovery
Alternative School
620 Park Ave N
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
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Pierz Credit Recovery
Alternative School
112 Kamnic St
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
Rank: n/an/a
F.e.d. Royalton Credit Recovery
Alternative School
120 S Hawthorn St
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
Rank: n/an/a
Fed Bertha-hewitt Credit Recovery
Alternative School
310 Central Ave S
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
Rank: n/an/a
Fed Staples-motley Credit Recovery
Alternative School
401 Centennial Dr
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 631-3505
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Freshwater Long Prairie Alc
Alternative School
308 1st St S
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
Rank: n/an/a
Freshwater Pillager Alc
Alternative School
323 E 2nd St
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
Rank: n/an/a
Freshwater Wadena Alc
Alternative School
624 Jefferson St N
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 631-3505

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?
97% 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 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wadena County are often viewed compared to one another?

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