LEAF RIVER ACADEMY

Located at 2222 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, in WADENA, Minnesota, LEAF RIVER ACADEMY is a very small multi-level school that serves 15 students (grades K through 12), part of Freshwater Education District. Compared to the state average of about 50 students per school, that is 70% smaller than typical.

Freshwater Education District runs 5 schools in total, collectively educating 200 students. LEAF RIVER ACADEMY is one of those campuses.

Looking at the student body, LEAF RIVER ACADEMY lists that 87% of students identify as White, making the school strongly White-majority. Beyond that, the school records 7% Hispanic, 7% multiracial. That mix tracks the wider county fairly closely.

In terms of school funding signals, LEAF RIVER ACADEMY logs 4 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 3.3:1. The state averages around 6.4:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 73% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. That share is above Wadena County's rate of about 49%.

In the surrounding community, Wadena County reports that median household earnings sit near $61,467, 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Wadena County runs 17 public schools (combined enrollment of about 3,201 students), of which LEAF RIVER ACADEMY is one.

Elm Tree Academy is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.0 miles from this campus. Within five miles, there are 7 other public schools.

The school occupies a small-town site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at LEAF RIVER ACADEMY has remained close to its prior level, going from 15 students in 2018 to 15 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share ticked up from 80% to 87%. Class-load math has fell: from 7.3:1 in 2018 to 3.3:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Members of the school community can share what they know.