Willow River Secondary

Summary:

Willow River Secondary is a public high school serving grades 7-12 in Willow River, Minnesota, with a total enrollment of 195 students. The school is part of the East Central School District, which is ranked 304 out of 463 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Willow River Secondary stands out for its significantly higher percentage of white students (93.85%) compared to the state average, as well as its consistently low academic performance on standardized tests. The school's proficiency rates are well below the Minnesota average across all grade levels and subject areas, with the 11th-grade math proficiency rate at just 7.41% compared to the state average of 34.99%. Graduation and dropout rates have also been variable, ranging from 79.3% to 96.8% and 0% to 20.6%, respectively. Additionally, the school has a relatively high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a higher proportion of students from low-income families.

Compared to nearby schools like Barnum Secondary and Moose Lake Secondary, Willow River Secondary's academic performance lags behind, with lower proficiency rates, graduation rates, and statewide rankings. The school's declining statewide ranking, from 296 out of 504 Minnesota high schools in 2014-2015 to 261 out of 480 in 2023-2024, suggests a concerning trend of declining academic performance relative to other schools in the state. Additionally, the school's performance data shows significant differences in the rankings of female and male students, as well as concerning achievement gaps for special education and low-income students.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 8142 Pine St
       Willow River, MN  55795-0066


(218) 372-3131

District: Willow River Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
261st of 480 Minnesota High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,122 Help


Feeder schools for Willow River Secondary:

Elementary:    Willow River Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  13.3 Help
Number of students:  191

Racial breakdown:

White:
94.2%
Two or more races:
3.1%
Hispanic:
1.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  40.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Willow River Secondary ranks worse than 82.4% of middle schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 20.78. (See more...)
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Compare Details Willow River Secondary ranks worse than 54.4% of high schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 49.11. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Willow River Secondary who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (94.2%), two or more races (3.1%), Hispanic (1.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 40.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Willow River Secondary is 13.3. (See more...)
Help
Compare Willow River Secondary employs 14.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Willow River Secondary is $13,122.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Willow River Secondary:

SchoolDigger ranks Willow River Secondary 449th of 545 Minnesota public middle schools. (See Willow River Secondary in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Willow River Secondary 261st of 480 Minnesota public high schools. (See Willow River Secondary in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Willow River Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Willow River Public School District 304th of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Willow River Secondary

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Rank History for all middle school students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 40.08 289th 387 25.3%
2005 39.58 300th 396 24.2%
2006 39.37 308th 406 24.1%
2007 35.44 311th 403 22.8%
2008 30.14 340th 409 16.9%
2009 28.49 195th 230 15.2%
2010 25.00 389th 454 14.3%
2011 29.94 384th 478 19.7%
2012 33.36 369th 469 21.3%
2013 28.74 381st 488 21.9%
2014 21.39 413th 490 15.7%
2015 22.56 424th 516 17.8%
2016 16.89 435th 508 14.4%
2017 23.97 423rd 523 19.1%
2018 23.23 425th 518 18.0%
2019 16.80 458th 533 14.1%
2021 24.76 410th 521 21.3%
2022 46.26 282nd 520 45.8%
2023 23.76 418th 529 21.0%
2024 20.78 449th 545 17.6%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.30 245th 253 3.2%
2024 26.50 246th 307 19.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.30 301st 401 24.9%
2019 22.65 347th 415 16.4%
2021 33.01 287th 399 28.1%
2022 55.62 157th 404 61.1%
2023 26.92 351st 459 23.5%
2024 20.75 404th 473 14.6%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.37 240th 436 45.0%
2019 31.84 336th 439 23.5%
2021 20.10 375th 443 15.3%
2022 45.95 264th 467 43.5%
2023 27.30 354th 455 22.2%
2024 20.66 394th 474 16.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 6.83 407th 438 7.1%
2019 5.63 435th 454 4.2%
2021 31.00 309th 437 29.3%
2022 42.04 281st 476 41.0%
2023 19.41 386th 464 16.8%
2024 20.52 399th 479 16.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.69 410th 428 4.2%
2019 6.15 413th 428 3.5%
2021 10.46 403rd 422 4.5%
2022 30.19 329th 438 24.9%
2023 10.86 415th 436 4.8%
2024 9.04 427th 440 3.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Willow River Secondary

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Rank History for all high school students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 56.02 289th 433 33.3%
2005 57.73 289th 452 36.1%
2006 38.76 330th 450 26.7%
2007 31.41 352nd 463 24.0%
2008 35.27 348th 460 24.3%
2009 57.74 135th 234 42.3%
2010 63.82 233rd 540 56.9%
2011 33.75 381st 545 30.1%
2012 35.78 374th 539 30.6%
2013 59.46 252nd 534 52.8%
2014 42.53 325th 483 32.7%
2015 50.79 296th 504 41.3%
2016 46.32 313th 489 36.0%
2017 33.99 355th 489 27.4%
2018 30.68 372nd 494 24.7%
2019 29.29 373rd 492 24.2%
2021 22.22 359th 428 16.1%
2022 28.65 358th 472 24.2%
2023 40.25 312th 476 34.5%
2024 49.11 261st 480 45.6%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Special Education students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 15.96 158th 173 8.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.28 277th 374 25.9%
2021 27.88 213th 270 21.1%
2023 83.77 36th 393 90.8%
2024 37.78 257th 389 33.9%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.43 358th 395 9.4%
2019 32.63 303rd 401 24.4%
2021 30.30 268th 339 20.9%
2022 39.61 269th 388 30.7%
2023 24.93 324th 396 18.2%
2024 41.47 254th 403 37.0%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.16 173rd 398 56.5%
2019 12.25 371st 411 9.7%
2021 9.56 332nd 351 5.4%
2022 9.93 372nd 403 7.7%
2023 61.59 144th 398 63.8%
2024 46.72 233rd 405 42.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Willow River Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.50 367th 414 11.4%
2019 13.98 367th 412 10.9%
2021 13.78 339th 364 6.9%
2022 15.64 361st 401 10.0%
2023 27.82 320th 398 19.6%
2024 32.85 303rd 402 24.6%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for White 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.

Willow River Secondary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Willow River Secondary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 163 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 164
1989 172 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 174
1990 168 1 2 0 4 n/a n/a 0 175
1991 186 1 4 0 1 n/a n/a 0 192
1992 202 1 3 0 2 n/a n/a 0 208
1993 220 1 2 1 3 n/a n/a 0 227
1994 238 1 1 1 2 n/a n/a 0 243
1995 248 2 0 2 4 n/a n/a 0 256
1996 248 2 0 2 4 n/a n/a 0 256
1997 240 2 0 1 4 n/a n/a 0 247
1998 236 2 0 1 3 n/a n/a 0 242
1999 218 2 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 222
2000 232 3 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 238
2001 237 1 1 1 2 n/a n/a 0 242
2002 210 0 1 5 1 n/a n/a 0 217
2003 210 0 1 5 1 n/a n/a 0 217
2004 201 1 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 206
2005 207 1 0 4 1 n/a n/a 0 213
2006 198 2 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 203
2007 205 2 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 209
2008 218 3 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 225
2009 206 4 0 1 1 n/a n/a 0 212
2010 193 3 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 197
2011 185 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 190
2012 190 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 193
2013 189 0 2 5 1 0 1 0 198
2014 194 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 202
2015 189 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 194
2016 191 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 195
2017 196 1 1 0 1 0 3 0 202
2018 205 1 0 3 2 0 3 0 214
2019 192 0 0 1 4 0 2 0 199
2020 190 0 1 1 5 0 1 0 198
2021 186 0 0 1 3 0 5 0 195
2022 194 0 0 1 3 0 7 0 205
2023 183 0 0 3 2 0 7 0 195
2024 180 0 0 3 2 0 6 0 191

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 Willow River Secondary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 164 11.1 14.7 26.8
1989 174 12.2 14.2 23.6
1990 175 12.2 14.3 22.9
1991 192 12.2 15.7 19.3
1992 208 12.4 16.7 17.8
1993 227 12.7 17.9 0
1994 243 12.9 18.8 18.5
1995 256 12.8 20.0 19.5
1996 256 12.8 20.0 19.5
1997 247 13.8 17.9 21.5
1998 242 n/a 0.0 19.4
1999 222 14.4 15.4 20.7
2000 238 15.3 15.6 29
2001 242 16.3 14.8 35.1
2002 217 14.6 14.9 38.7
2003 217 14.6 14.9 38.7
2004 206 14.4 14.3 49
2005 213 14.2 15.0 52.6
2006 203 15.2 13.4 54.2
2007 209 13.4 15.6 49.3
2008 225 15.4 14.6 55.1
2009 212 17.2 12.3 50.9
2010 197 17.3 11.3 51.3
2011 190 16.3 11.6 46.3
2012 193 16.5 11.6 52.8
2013 198 16.0 12.3 49
2014 202 15.5 13.0 53
2015 194 16.0 12.1 46.9
2016 195 16.0 12.1 42.6
2017 202 15.6 12.9 40.6
2018 214 15.1 14.1 35
2019 199 15.0 13.2 38.2
2020 198 16.8 11.7 37.9
2021 195 14.9 13.0 35.9
2022 205 13.8 14.8 30.7
2023 195 14.4 13.5 42.6
2024 191 14.3 13.3 40.3

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 Willow River Secondary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 164 11.1 14.7 26.8
1989 174 12.2 14.2 23.6
1990 175 12.2 14.3 22.9
1991 192 12.2 15.7 19.3
1992 208 12.4 16.7 17.8
1993 227 12.7 17.9 0
1994 243 12.9 18.8 18.5
1995 256 12.8 20.0 19.5
1996 256 12.8 20.0 19.5
1997 247 13.8 17.9 21.5
1998 242 n/a 0.0 19.4
1999 222 14.4 15.4 20.7
2000 238 15.3 15.6 29
2001 242 16.3 14.8 35.1
2002 217 14.6 14.9 38.7
2003 217 14.6 14.9 38.7
2004 206 14.4 14.3 49
2005 213 14.2 15.0 52.6
2006 203 15.2 13.4 54.2
2007 209 13.4 15.6 49.3
2008 225 15.4 14.6 55.1
2009 212 17.2 12.3 50.9
2010 197 17.3 11.3 51.3
2011 190 16.3 11.6 46.3
2012 193 16.5 11.6 52.8
2013 198 16.0 12.3 49
2014 202 15.5 13.0 53
2015 194 16.0 12.1 46.9
2016 195 16.0 12.1 42.6
2017 202 15.6 12.9 40.6
2018 214 15.1 14.1 35
2019 199 15.0 13.2 38.2
2020 198 16.8 11.7 37.9
2021 195 14.9 13.0 35.9
2022 205 13.8 14.8 30.7
2023 195 14.4 13.5 42.6
2024 191 14.3 13.3 40.3

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 Willow River Secondary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $13,122

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Willow River Secondary

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.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 458th of 533 Middle schoolsRanks 418th of 529 Middle schools
 6.9%
Ranks 373rd of 492 High schoolsRanks 312th of 476 High schools
 10.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade Math (Willow River Secondary)20.68.8
 11.8%
   7th Grade Math (Willow River Public School District)20.68.8
 11.8%
   7th Grade Math (Minnesota)52.139.7
 12.4%
7th Grade Reading (Willow River Secondary)41.232.4
 8.8%
   7th Grade Reading (Willow River Public School District)41.232.4
 8.8%
   7th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.545.2
 12.3%
8th Grade Math (Willow River Secondary)2512.5
 12.5%
   8th Grade Math (Willow River Public School District)2512.5
 12.5%
   8th Grade Math (Minnesota)55.240.3
 14.9%
8th Grade Reading (Willow River Secondary)42.534.4
 8.1%
   8th Grade Reading (Willow River Public School District)42.534.4
 8.1%
   8th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.744.8
 12.9%
8th Grade Science (Willow River Secondary)1516.1
 1.1%
   8th Grade Science (Willow River Public School District)1516.1
 1.1%
   8th Grade Science (Minnesota)4327.6
 15.4%
10th Grade Reading (Willow River Secondary)4446.2
 2.2%
   10th Grade Reading (Willow River Public School District)4446.2
 2.2%
   10th Grade Reading (Minnesota)60.451.7
 8.7%
11th Grade Math (Willow River Secondary)3.95.3
 1.4%
   11th Grade Math (Willow River Public School District)3.95.3
 1.4%
   11th Grade Math (Minnesota)4536
 9%
End of Course Science (Willow River Secondary)44.436
 8.4%
   End of Course Science (Willow River Public School District)44.436
 8.4%
   End of Course Science (Minnesota)54.441.8
 12.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students199195
 2%
African American00
American Indian42
 50%
Asian00
Hispanic13
 200%
Pacific Islander00
White192183
 4.7%
Two or More Races27
 250%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients38.2%42.6%
 4.4%


Schools Near Willow River Secondary









Frequently Asked Questions about Willow River Secondary

In the 2023-24 school year, 191 students attended Willow River Secondary.

Willow River Secondary is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Willow River Elementary

Students at Willow River Secondary are 94% White, 3% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic, 1% American Indian.

Willow River Secondary ranks 261st of 480 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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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.





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