For the 2025 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 41% (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 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
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 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 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Wadena County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Wadena County include: Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School vs. Verndale Elementary School, Verndale Elementary School vs. Wadena-deer Creek Elementary School
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