- Enrollment
- 50
- Students per teacher
- 16.7:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Melrose, MN
West Central Area Learning Center
Federal NCES profile for West Central Area Learning Center, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 51/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 279145502388
👥 S:T ratio 72
🌟 Gifted program 30
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
West Central Area Learning Center earns 51/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 90% of Minnesota schools.
- #1 of 3
- schools in Melrose · Resource Index
- 51
- Resource Index · Higher
- 7:1
- small classes for Minnesota
- 69.7%
- free-lunch eligible
West Central Area Learning Center has class sizes smaller than 90% of Minnesota schools. Computed live against every Minnesota school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, West Central Area Learning Center ranks #1 of 3 schools in Melrose, MN.
School address
District: West Central Education District · Minnesota
NCES ID 279145502388 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-4 students YoY
West Central Area Learning Center shrank from 33 students in 2022-23 to 29 in 2023-24 (-12.1%).
Teacher FTE added 3.5 → 4.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-4 students YoY 279145502388 · Melrose, MN Other · SMALL · TRAD
21 enr · 7:1 · 69.7% lunch · RII 51
Nearest enrollment peer: West Central Education District B-2 (50 students)
West Central Area Learning Center shrank from 33 students in 2022-23 to 29 in 2023-24 (-12.1%). Teacher FTE added 3.5 → 4.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Minnesota schools → · Find another →
West Central Area Learning Center in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- West Central E
West Central Education District B-2
50 students
- This school
West Central Area Learning Center
21 students
- Beacon Program 10
Beacon Program W Central Ed. Dist.
10 students
What this shows West Central Area Learning Center reports 21 students on the CCD universe file.
How West Central Area Learning Center compares
West Central Area Learning Center is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Minnesota and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Minnesota | Minnesota avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 7:1 | ▼ 56% | 15.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 69.7% | ▲ 63% | 42.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 21 | top 89% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
7:1
Leaner classes than 97% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
21
Bigger than 3% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
69.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 63% above the Minnesota average of 42.8%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
7:1
students per teacher
- 56% below state mean
Top 10% in Minnesota - lower ratio than 90% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 66.7%
Hispanic or Latino 28.6%
Two or More 4.8%
Largest group: White at 66.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 47.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 47.1, West Central Area Learning Center is more mixed than the Minnesota school average of 42.8.
Programs
How West Central Area Learning Center Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Central Education District B-2 | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Beacon Program W Central Ed. Dist. | Smaller | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to West Central Area Learning Center's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 10
- Students per teacher
- 10:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~21 students)
Frequently asked questions about West Central Area Learning Center
How many students attend West Central Area Learning Center?
West Central Area Learning Center has 21 students enrolled. It is an alternative school in Melrose, MN. CCD year-over-year: 33 (2022-23) → 29 (2023-24), down 4.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Central Area Learning Center?
The student-teacher ratio at West Central Area Learning Center is 7:1, which is 56% lower than the Minnesota average of 15.8:1 and 55% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at West Central Area Learning Center?
69.7% of students at West Central Area Learning Center are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Minnesota average of 42.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of West Central Area Learning Center?
The largest demographic group at West Central Area Learning Center is White at 66.7% of enrollment, in Melrose, MN.
What is the Resource Investment Index for West Central Area Learning Center?
West Central Area Learning Center has a Resource Investment Index of 51/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 2 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology). Limited indicators were available, so the index reflects partial data.
How does West Central Area Learning Center rank among schools in Melrose?
By Resource Investment Index, West Central Area Learning Center ranks #1 of 3 schools in Melrose, MN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Melrose on the city page.
What other schools are in West Central Education District?
Besides West Central Area Learning Center, West Central Education District also operates West Central Education District B-2 (50 students) and Beacon Program W Central Ed. Dist. (10 students). See the West Central Education District district page for the complete list.