The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Elm Tree Academy
Elm Tree Academy is a special education school serving students from grade two through grade twelve in Wadena, Minnesota. It is part of the Freshwater Education District, a cooperative that provides shared services such as special education, credit recovery, and adult basic education to thirteen member districts. Because Elm Tree Academy is a special education school, it operates outside the typical district structure, and parent-relevant changes like curriculum shifts or property tax referendums happen at the member-district level, not at this cooperative level.
The school is small, with an enrollment that matches its focused mission. All enrolled students are white. Free or reduced-price lunch data and special population counts, such as students with individualized education programs or English learners, were not available in the data provided.
State testing results show a reported proficiency rate of zero across math and English language arts for the grades tested, which include third, fourth, and sixth grade. Science results for fifth grade were suppressed due to a very small number of test takers, though participation was complete. The school sits at the bottom of the distribution for overall proficiency when compared to other schools in Wadena County, though this comparison is based on a standard academic context that may not apply directly to a specialized special education setting. A parent interpreting these results should understand that the student population is composed of learners with identified special needs, and the school’s academic measures are not comparable to a general education school’s in a straightforward way. There is no graduation rate reported, which is typical for a school that serves a wide grade span but does not have a standard high school cohort; the school’s grade configuration includes grades nine and ten, but no eleventh or twelfth graders were enrolled in the year reported.
No chronic absenteeism or discipline data was available. Similarly, no course access information, staffing ratios, or attendance figures were provided, leaving gaps in understanding the day-to-day environment and support structures.
Wadena is an agricultural community and a regional hub positioned at the crossroads of U.S. Highways 10 and 71. The local economy is shaped by manufacturing, including laser machinery and outdoor furniture production, trucking logistics, agriculture, and small businesses. The town is still in a recovery and redevelopment phase following an EF-4 tornado that damaged a substantial portion of homes and severely damaged the high school and community center, both of which were later rebuilt. The city offers tax-free land incentives to encourage rebuilding on lots that remain vacant. In 2025, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is partnering with the county to improve Highway 71 and expand Highway 10 to four lanes.
Downtown Wadena features a collection of hand-painted puzzle murals installed through a community arts initiative. The Cozy Theatre, a downtown landmark, shows films and hosts a film festival. The town is the county seat, and the rebuilt middle-high school serves as a central civic institution. The nearest Amtrak station is about a drive away in Staples, though the Empire Builder passes through on BNSF tracks without stopping.
Elm Tree Academy is a specialized placement for students who need a special education setting. The academic proficiency data, reported as zero, reflects the school’s mission rather than a typical school performance metric, and families considering this school should seek direct information from the school or the Freshwater Education District about the specific programs, therapeutic supports, and transition pathways available. The housing market in Wadena shows home values below the state average, with modest appreciation. The town’s post-tornado rebuilding phase means some infrastructure is newer, but also means there are still vacant lots and ongoing redevelopment. For a family whose child requires a special education environment, Elm Tree Academy offers a small, targeted setting in a community that is rebuilding and investing in its infrastructure, but the available data leaves many questions about daily operations, staff qualifications, and postsecondary outcomes unanswered.
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