Summary:
The city of Waite Park, Minnesota, is home to 3 schools that serve students from elementary through high school, including an alternative school. These schools face significant challenges, with academic performance well below state and district averages, particularly at Discovery Community Elementary and St. Cloud Area Learning Center.
Discovery Community Elementary stands out for its diverse student population, with a majority of African American (51.97%) and Hispanic (19.67%) students. However, the school's academic performance is low, with only 19.92% of students proficient or better in MCA-III Math, compared to 45.47% statewide. Similarly, St. Cloud Area Learning Center, a high school, has an even lower performance, with 0% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in MCA-III Math. This school also struggles with a low four-year graduation rate (24.2%) and a high dropout rate (16.4%).
In contrast, the Special Education Facilities school serves a smaller student population with a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (56.67%) and a more favorable student-teacher ratio of 5.4 students per teacher. However, the overall academic performance across the Waite Park schools remains a significant concern, suggesting the need for targeted interventions and support to address the unique challenges faced by these diverse student populations within the St. Cloud Public School District.
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