Public schools in Willmar, MN
14 open public schools with an address in Willmar, operated by 2 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
14
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
4,290
13 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
12.4:1
Minnesota median 13.6:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of Willmar public schools
The federal directory lists 14 public schools in Willmar, MN: 3 elementary, 2 middle, 4 high, 5 combined or other. The 13 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 4,290 students, an average of 330 per school. The largest campus is Willmar Senior High (1,205 students), and the largest elementary school is Kennedy Elementary (672).
Willmar Public School District operates the most schools here (13), plus 1 charter, service, or other agency. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 12.4:1, lower than the statewide school median of 13.6:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 5 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 0 of 6 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 65% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Willmar
Elementary schools in Willmar
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Elementary Willmar Public School District | PK–05 | 672 | 12.2:1 | |
| Lakeland Elementary School Willmar Public School District | PK–05 | 623 | 13.4:1 | |
| Roosevelt Elementary Willmar Public School District | PK–05 | 580 | 12.4:1 |
Middle schools in Willmar
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle School ALC Willmar Public School District · Alternative School | 06–08 | 27 | — | |
| Willmar Middle School Willmar Public School District | 06–08 | 842 | 13.8:1 |
High schools in Willmar
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DREAM Technical Academy Technical Academies of Minnesota · Charter | 07–12 | 72 | 22.7:1 | |
| Focus House Willmar Public School District · Special Education School | 12–12 | — | — | |
| Willmar Area Learning Center Willmar Public School District · Alternative School | 09–12 | 91 | 7:1 | |
| Willmar Senior High Willmar Public School District | 09–12 | 1,205 | 16.2:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Willmar
5| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Early Learning Center Willmar Public School District | PK–PK | 26 | — | |
| Jefferson Learning Center Willmar Public School District · Special Education School | PK–PK | 89 | 6.4:1 | |
| Lake Park School Willmar Public School District · Alternative School | 04–12 | 33 | — | |
| Lakeview School Willmar Public School District · Alternative School | KG–12 | 11 | — | |
| Prairie Lakes Education Center Willmar Public School District · Alternative School | 04–12 | 19 | 2.4:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White34%
- Hispanic45%
- Black14%
- Asian3.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial2.8%
Enrollment-weighted across 13 Willmar schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (4,290 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Willmar
How many public schools are in Willmar, MN?
The current NCES directory lists 14 open public schools with a location address in Willmar: 3 elementary, 2 middle, 4 high, 5 combined or other. Together they reported 4,290 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Willmar?
Schools with an address in Willmar belong to 2 education agencies, led by Willmar Public School District (13 schools), Technical Academies of Minnesota (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Willmar?
Willmar Senior High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Willmar, with 1,205 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Willmar?
Yes. 1 of the 14 public schools in Willmar are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including DREAM Technical Academy. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Willmar schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Willmar public schools is 12.4:1, lower than the Minnesota school median of 13.6:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Willmar guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Minnesota cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Minnesota cities