WELS North

70 WEST COUNTY ROAD B2
LITTLE CANADA, MN 55117

www.nemetro.k12.mn.us

23 Students

High School 10th - 12th

School Overview

WELS North (Willow Lake Education Center) is a specialized educational facility operated by the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District. It serves students with unique learning needs, specifically focusing on those who require specialized instruction and transition services to prepare for life after high school. The program is designed to support students with developmental cognitive disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other health impairments, ensuring that each individual receives a tailored approach to their academic, social, and functional goals.

The school emphasizes a "transition-focused" environment, moving beyond traditional classroom instruction to include community-based learning and life-skills development. By partnering with families and local school districts, WELS North strives to foster independence, self-advocacy, and vocational readiness. Located in Vadnais Heights, the center provides a structured and supportive atmosphere where students are empowered to develop the personal and professional skills necessary for successful integration into their post-secondary lives.

Total Students

3.0

Full-Time Teachers

7.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

52.2%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for WELS North
Demographic	Student Count
White	13
Hispanic	4
Black	1
Asian	3
Two or More	1
American Indian	1

White
13 (56.5%)
Hispanic
4 (17.4%)
Asian
3 (13.0%)
Black
1 (4.3%)
Two or More
1 (4.3%)
American Indian
1 (4.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Special Education School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Northeast Metro 916
Phone:	(651)415-6280
Website:	http://www.nemetro.k12.mn.us
Grade Range:	10th - 12th
Total Students:	23
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	3.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	7.7
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	11
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	1

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 12 23