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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Wadena County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 2,332 students in Wadena County, MN.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Wadena County, MN are Sebeka Elementary School, Menahga Elementary School and White Pine Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wadena County, MN public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 51% statewide average). Elementary schools in Wadena County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Minnesota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 41% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary 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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Wadena County, MN?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Wadena County, MN include Sebeka Elementary School, Menahga Elementary School and White Pine Academy.
How many public elementary schools are located in Wadena County?
11 public elementary schools are located in Wadena County.
What is the racial composition of students in Wadena County?
Wadena County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Minnesota public elementary schools average of 41% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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