Waseca Area Learning Center

Q: Is Waseca Area Learning Center a good school?

Waseca Area Learning Center ranks 359 th of 480 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Waseca Area Learning Center is a small public high school serving grades 7-12 in Waseca, Minnesota, part of the Waseca Public School District. With just 68 students, the school faces significant academic and demographic challenges compared to nearby high schools.

Waseca Area Learning Center consistently ranks in the bottom tier of Minnesota high schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Its academic performance lags far behind the nearby Waseca Senior High, which has a 3-star rating. Waseca Area Learning Center also struggles with low graduation rates, ranging from 11.1% to 50.0% over the past 5 years, and high dropout rates of 4.5% to 27.2%. In contrast, Waseca Senior High has a much higher graduation rate of 89.2%.

However, Waseca Area Learning Center's student population is more racially diverse, with 48.53% White, 30.88% Hispanic, and 17.65% two or more races, compared to 78.75% White at Waseca Senior High. Additionally, 77.94% of Waseca Area Learning Center students receive free or reduced-price lunch, significantly higher than the 35.75% at Waseca Senior High. While these factors may present unique challenges, the school's diversity could also be seen as an asset if leveraged effectively.

Detail:

Public 7-12

501 Elm Ave E
Waseca, MN 56093-3360

(507) 835-5588

District: Waseca Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
359^th of 480 Minnesota High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,839

Student/teacher ratio: 13.0

Number of students: 61

Racial breakdown:

White:

52.5%

Hispanic:

31.1%

Two or more races:

13.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 78.7%

See top rated Minnesota high schools

Compare Waseca Area Learning Center to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Waseca Area Learning Center ranks worse than 74.8% of high schools in Minnesota. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.29. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Waseca Area Learning Center who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Waseca Area Learning Center is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (52.5%), Hispanic (31.1%), two or more races (13.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 78.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Waseca Area Learning Center is 13. (See more...)

Compare Waseca Area Learning Center employs 4.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Waseca Area Learning Center is $15,839.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Waseca Area Learning Center:

SchoolDigger ranks Waseca Area Learning Center 359^th of 480 Minnesota public high schools. (See Waseca Area Learning Center in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Waseca Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waseca Public School District 236^th of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Waseca Area Learning Center

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Rank History for all students at Waseca Area Learning Center

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MN State Percentile
2010	5.13	499^th	540	7.6%
2011	57.93	290^th	545	46.8%
2012	14.79	431^st	539	20.0%
2013	4.30	499^th	534	6.6%
2016	9.79	415^th	489	15.1%
2017	6.13	440^th	489	10.0%
2018	3.98	480^th	494	2.8%
2022	4.03	459^th	472	2.8%
2024	27.29	359^th	480	25.2%

See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Waseca Area Learning Center

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MN State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	38.07	254^th	389	34.7%

See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Waseca Area Learning Center

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1994	18	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	18
1995	13	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	13
1996	13	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	13
1997	2	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	2
1998	23	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	24
1999	23	0	0	8	0	n/a	n/a	31
2000	19	0	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	22
2001	22	1	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	26
2002	32	1	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	37
2003	32	1	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	37
2004	26	0	0	6	2	n/a	n/a	34
2005	21	3	0	8	1	n/a	n/a	33
2006	19	1	1	2	1	n/a	n/a	24
2007	19	0	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	23
2008	31	0	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	37
2009	36	0	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	38
2010	30	0	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	32
2011	35	0	0	8	0	0	1	44
2012	27	1	0	7	0	0	2	37
2013	26	2	0	7	0	0	1	36
2014	31	0	0	9	0	0	0	40
2015	36	1	0	10	0	0	0	47
2016	29	0	0	14	0	0	0	43
2017	33	0	0	8	0	0	0	41
2018	36	0	0	8	0	0	1	45
2019	40	2	0	13	0	0	1	56
2020	35	6	0	8	1	0	3	53
2021	40	6	0	21	0	0	4	71
2022	47	5	0	17	0	0	6	75
2023	33	2	0	21	0	0	12	68
2024	32	2	0	19	0	0	8	61

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Waseca Area Learning Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1994	18	1.0	18.0	0
1995	13	0.0	0.0	0
1996	13	0.0	0.0	0
1997	2	0.0	0.0	0
1998	24	n/a	0.0	0
1999	31	0.0	0.0	9.7
2000	22	3.0	7.3	63.6
2001	26	3.4	7.6	38.5
2002	37	6.4	5.8	24.3
2003	37	6.4	5.8	24.3
2004	34	6.5	5.2	41.2
2005	33	6.9	4.8	36.4
2006	24	6.6	3.6	45.8
2007	23	5.3	4.3	47.8
2008	37	3.4	10.9	56.8
2009	38	4.1	9.3	52.6
2010	32	3.2	9.7	65.6
2011	44	4.3	10.2	56.8
2012	37	4.4	8.2	54.1
2013	36	4.6	7.7	69.4
2014	40	3.6	11.0	80
2015	47	4.0	11.7	74.5
2016	43	4.0	10.7	65.1
2017	41	3.4	11.9	51.2
2018	45	4.7	9.4	53.3
2019	56	5.1	10.9	50
2020	53	3.8	13.9	56.6
2021	71	4.3	16.3	42.3
2022	75	5.3	14.0	48
2023	68	5.3	12.7	77.9
2024	61	4.6	13.0	78.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Waseca Area Learning Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1994	18	1.0	18.0	0
1995	13	0.0	0.0	0
1996	13	0.0	0.0	0
1997	2	0.0	0.0	0
1998	24	n/a	0.0	0
1999	31	0.0	0.0	9.7
2000	22	3.0	7.3	63.6
2001	26	3.4	7.6	38.5
2002	37	6.4	5.8	24.3
2003	37	6.4	5.8	24.3
2004	34	6.5	5.2	41.2
2005	33	6.9	4.8	36.4
2006	24	6.6	3.6	45.8
2007	23	5.3	4.3	47.8
2008	37	3.4	10.9	56.8
2009	38	4.1	9.3	52.6
2010	32	3.2	9.7	65.6
2011	44	4.3	10.2	56.8
2012	37	4.4	8.2	54.1
2013	36	4.6	7.7	69.4
2014	40	3.6	11.0	80
2015	47	4.0	11.7	74.5
2016	43	4.0	10.7	65.1
2017	41	3.4	11.9	51.2
2018	45	4.7	9.4	53.3
2019	56	5.1	10.9	50
2020	53	3.8	13.9	56.6
2021	71	4.3	16.3	42.3
2022	75	5.3	14.0	48
2023	68	5.3	12.7	77.9
2024	61	4.6	13.0	78.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Waseca Area Learning Center

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$15,838

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Waseca Area Learning Center

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
11th Grade Math (Waseca Area Learning Center)	0	0
11th Grade Math (Waseca Public School District)	36.8	39.4	2.6%
11th Grade Math (Minnesota)	45	36	9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	56	68	21.4%
African American	2	2
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	13	21	61.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	40	33	17.5%
Two or More Races	1	12	1100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	50%	77.9%	27.9%

Schools Near Waseca Area Learning Center

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MCA-III Math (2024)					MCA-III Reading (2024)					MCA-III Science (2024)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCA-III Math 6th Grade	MCA-III Math 7th Grade	MCA-III Math 8th Grade	MCA-III Math 11th Grade	MCA-III Math All Grades	MCA-III Reading 6th Grade	MCA-III Reading 7th Grade	MCA-III Reading 8th Grade	MCA-III Reading 10th Grade	MCA-III Reading All Grades	MCA-III Science 8th Grade	MCA-III Science End of Course	MCA-III Science All Grades	Total
SWMetro Waseca-Transitions	Public	9-12	501 East Elm Ave	Waseca	56093	Waseca County	Southwest Metro Intermediate 288	No	No	No	No	(952) 567-8100	10	0	18.9	60.0%	7 (70.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (20.0%)								(n/a)
Waseca Area Learning Center	Public	7-12	501 Elm Ave E	Waseca	56093	Waseca County	Waseca Public School District	No	No	No	No	(507) 835-5588	61	5	13.0	78.7%	32 (52.5%)	2 (3.3%)	19 (31.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (13.1%)	27.3	359^th of 480 public high schools	25.2%					(n/a)				0.0	0.0				53.9	53.9		8.3	8.3	$15,839
Waseca Senior High	Public	9-12	1717 2nd St NW	Waseca	56093	Waseca County	Waseca Public School District	No	No	No	No	(507) 835-5470	579	34	17.0	36.3%	461 (79.6%)	8 (1.4%)	72 (12.4%)	6 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (5.5%)	62.4	194^th of 480 public high schools	59.6%		69.2	133^rd of 476 public high schools	72.1%	61				35.8	35.8				48.2	48.2		42.7	42.7	$14,758
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Senior	Public	9-12	500 E Paquin St	Waterville	56096	Le Sueur County	Waterville-Elysian-Morristown	No	No	No	No	(507) 362-4431	257	19	13.7	27.6%	227 (88.3%)	5 (1.9%)	11 (4.3%)	3 (1.2%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	8 (3.1%)	40.4	311^th of 480 public high schools	35.2%		42.9	291^st of 476 public high schools	38.9%	20				21.1	21.1				40.6	40.6		35.7	35.7	$15,960
Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Sec	Public	7-12	110 E 3rd St	Janesville	56048	Waseca County	Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton	No	No	No	No	(507) 234-5181	339	25	13.4	34.5%	311 (91.7%)	5 (1.5%)	10 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	2 (0.6%)	8 (2.4%)	56.7	225^th of 480 public high schools	53.1%		53.6	231^st of 476 public high schools	51.5%	6		59.2	34.7	33.8	41.4		46.9	49.0	48.1	48.0	22.5	36.6	30.8	$14,329
Nrheg Secondary	Public	6-12	306 Ash Ave S	New Richland	56072	Waseca County	Nrheg School District	No	No	No	No	(507) 465-3205	434	27	15.8	41.9%	389 (89.6%)	4 (0.9%)	27 (6.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.0%)	32.9	343^rd of 480 public high schools	28.5%		44.4	279^th of 476 public high schools	41.4%	64	17.0	31.6	32.7	6.7	24.3	38.3	49.1	35.7	35.3	39.8	27.3	37.3	32.1	$11,400
CHOICE Technical Academy	Public, Charter	7-12	315 South Grove Ave	Owatonna	55060	Steele County	Technical Academies Of Minnesota	Yes	No	No	Yes	(507) 400-4009	44	1	43.1	75.0%	26 (59.1%)	1 (2.3%)	13 (29.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (9.1%)								(n/a)				9.1	5.0					18.8				$18,679
Owatonna Senior High	Public	9-12	1455 18th St SE	Owatonna	55060	Steele County	Owatonna Public School District	No	No	No	No	(507) 444-8800	1,494	84	17.6	35.5%	1,110 (74.3%)	105 (7.0%)	218 (14.6%)	9 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (3.3%)	68.5	149^th of 480 public high schools	69.0%		61.8	184^th of 476 public high schools	61.3%	35				43.0	43.0				54.3	54.3		41.1	41.1	$13,052
Owatonna Summer School 9-12	Public	9-12	338 E Main St	Owatonna	55060	Steele County	Owatonna Public School District	No	No	No	No	(507) 444-8000	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)														$9,614
Owatonna Online 9-12	Public, Virtual	9-12	338 E Main St	Owatonna	55060	Steele County	Owatonna Public School District	No	No	Yes	No	(507) 444-8008	66	0		51.5%	43 (65.2%)	7 (10.6%)	11 (16.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.5%)	1 (1.5%)	3 (4.5%)	6.1	452^nd of 480 public high schools	5.8%					(n/a)									25.0	25.0		0.0	0.0

Frequently Asked Questions about Waseca Area Learning Center

What district is Waseca Area Learning Center in?

Waseca Public School District

How many students attend Waseca Area Learning Center?

In the 2023-24 school year, 61 students attended Waseca Area Learning Center.

Is Waseca Area Learning Center a good school?

Waseca Area Learning Center ranks 359^th of 480 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Waseca Area Learning Center?

Students at Waseca Area Learning Center are 52% White, 31% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 3% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.