GFW Public Schools

GFW Public Schools is a small Minnesota district serving roughly 572 students across three schools — GFW Elementary School (PK–5, 240 students), GFW Middle School (5–8, 121 students), and GFW High School (9–12, 211 students) — and it ranks 258th out of 458 Minnesota districts, at the 44th percentile with 2 stars. Class sizes are similar everywhere, with student-teacher ratios between 12.6 and 13.7, but poverty indicators differ: 53.33% of elementary students receive free or reduced lunch, compared with 49.59% at the middle school and 37.44% at the high school.

GFW Elementary School is the academic standout. In 2025–2026, its math proficiency is 45.6%, above the state's 44.9%, and its science proficiency is 34.4%, well above the state's 25.5%. Its bright spots include 5th grade science at 34.4% versus the state's 25.9%, 4th grade reading at 50.0% versus 48.8%, and 5th grade reading at 54.5%, matching the state. Its weakest result is 3rd grade reading at 28.6% versus the state's 46.8%. GFW High School shows a split picture: its graduation rate is 96.2% versus the state's 84.9% and its dropout rate is 0.0% versus 4.2%, but math proficiency is just 16.7% against the state's 44.9%, with reading at 38.3%.

GFW Middle School is strongest in reading, at 46.2%, above the district's 44.0%, but its math is 26.7% and its science is 12.8% against the state's 25.5%. District-wide, math is the biggest gap at 31.9%, 13.0 points below the state. Science improved in every school year over year, with the high school gaining 12.15 points. Grade-level trouble spots include middle school 7th grade math at 18.9% versus the state's 40.3%, middle school 8th grade science at 12.8% versus 16.7%, and high school 11th grade math at 16.7% versus 35.3%. Star ratings show the high school improving from 1 to 2 stars, the middle school slipping from 3 to 2 stars, and the elementary school steady at 2 stars.