Best Schools in Portage, Wisconsin
10 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Portage?
Use this page to compare every school in Portage by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
St Mary School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Muir Elementary
Elementary · Portage Community School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lewiston Elementary
Elementary · Portage Community School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Portage for 2026 are St Mary School (7.3/10), Muir Elementary (6.5/10), and Lewiston Elementary (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$214,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$214,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Portage
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Mary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Muir Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Lewiston Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | St Johns Lutheran School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Wayne Bartels Middle | 5.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Portage High | 4.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $72,244
- Median home value
- $214,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Portage compares
Wisconsin rank
#292 of 324
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Wisconsin avg (6.4)
Median household income
$72k
92% of Wisconsin median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Portage, Wisconsin
Portage, Wisconsin is home to 10 schools, including 8 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Portage show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Portage is St Mary School with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Portage is served by 2 school districts: Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Portage Community School District. These districts collectively serve 2,225 students.
Portage's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,244. The poverty rate in the area is 11.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 465 students · 2nd–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 83 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | 201 students · Kindergarten–1st | 5.7 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Mary School
Private
154 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | St Johns Lutheran School
Private
82 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.3 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 409 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 647 students · 6th–12th | 4.5 |
| 2 | 4 students · 11th–12th | — |
| 3 | 20 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 145 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.3 |
Schools in Portage
Portage, Wisconsin · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,244
Median Home Value
$214,300
Median Rent
$969/mo
Population
14,654
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Community Profile
Portage has a median household income of $72,244. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,300, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Wisconsin
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Wisconsin
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Portage, Wisconsin
How many schools are in Portage, Wisconsin?
Portage has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Portage, Wisconsin?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Portage is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Portage, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked school in Portage on MySchoolScout is St Mary School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Portage, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked elementary school in Portage on MySchoolScout is St Mary School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Portage, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked middle school in Portage on MySchoolScout is Wayne Bartels Middle with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Portage, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked high school in Portage on MySchoolScout is Portage High with a composite score of 4.5/10.
How many school districts serve Portage, Wisconsin?
Portage is served by 2 school districts: Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Portage Community School District.
What is the education level in Portage, Wisconsin?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Portage have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Portage, Wisconsin?
The median household income in Portage is approximately $72,244 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Portage, Wisconsin?
Yes, Portage has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Mary School with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portage, Wisconsin?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Portage is 16.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Portage, Wisconsin?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Wisconsin Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.