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Below Average

#1993 of 2,102 schools in WI

Bayfield Elementary

Elementary School · Bayfield School District

300 N 4th St, Bayfield, WI 54814

Enrollment

197

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bayfield

#3 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#1,058 of 1,099

In district

#3 of 3

Bayfield School District

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Bayfield Elementary

Bayfield Elementary serves 197 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the remote rural community of Bayfield, Wisconsin. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 7.6:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for substantial individual attention and personalized instruction. The school has earned recognition as one of Wisconsin's top-performing elementary schools, ranking 62nd out of 2,112 schools statewide and placing in the 97th percentile.

This achievement reflects the dedication of both educators and families in this close-knit community. MySchoolScout rates Bayfield Elementary at 7.1 out of 10, indicating strong overall performance. The surrounding Bayfield community shows a commitment to education, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Families in the area have a median household income of $65,769, and median home values of $232,400 reflect the desirable nature of this lakeside location. While 17.3% of residents face economic challenges, the community's educational values remain strong. Bayfield Elementary sits in Wisconsin's beautiful Northwoods region, where students benefit from both academic excellence and the unique advantages of small-town learning in one of the state's most scenic remote rural settings.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 197 students, Bayfield Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Bayfield Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Bayfield Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Math vs. State Avg-51.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.2 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,592

Bayfield Elementary — Students at Bayfield Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 15.5%
School
State
50.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
7.3%
ELA
9.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.

How Bayfield Elementary Compares

See how Bayfield Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
5th percentile in WI
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

300 N 4th St, Bayfield, WI 54814

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bayfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Drummond Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 39.1 miles away, in nearby Drummond), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washburn Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Washburn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lake Superior Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bayfield, see our Bayfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 39.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Bayfield Middle Bayfield 0.0 mi 7.3
Bayfield High Bayfield 0.0 mi 5.2
La Pointe Elementary La Pointe 2.8 mi
Washburn Elementary Washburn 10.2 mi 7.8
Washburn Middle Washburn 10.4 mi 6.7
Washburn High Washburn 10.4 mi 6.8
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ashland 15.6 mi 7.1
Ashland Middle Ashland 16.1 mi 5.2
Ashland High Ashland 17.1 mi 3.3
Lake Superior Elementary Ashland 17.3 mi 7.5
Marengo Valley Elementary Ashland 25.8 mi 5.0
Mellen Public School Mellen 34.8 mi 7.4
Drummond High Drummond 39.1 mi 7.0
Drummond Junior High Drummond 39.1 mi 6.2
Drummond Elementary Drummond 39.1 mi 8.6
WILLIAM KELLEY ELEMENTARY Silver Bay 39.3 mi 6.6
Wm. M. Kelley Secondary Silver Bay 39.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54814 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,813

Median Home Value

$235,700

Median Rent

$628/mo

Population

2,811

College Educated

35%

Homeownership

74.5%

Avg Commute

12.7 min

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Median Age

52.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bayfield Elementary has a median household income of $62,813. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,700, with a median rent of $628/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Kagel Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.0
Maple Tree Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.0
Merrill Elementary Oshkosh, WI 4.0
ST PETERS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fond Du Lac, WI 4.0
STAR OF BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL New Berlin, WI 4.0
Keller Elementary Green Bay, WI 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bayfield Elementary

What grades does Bayfield Elementary serve?

Bayfield Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bayfield Elementary?

Bayfield Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 197 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bayfield Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bayfield Elementary is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bayfield Elementary rank in WI?

Bayfield Elementary is ranked #1993 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Bayfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bayfield Elementary has a composite rating of 4.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bayfield Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bayfield Elementary has 12.3% math proficiency and 15.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bayfield Elementary a charter school?

No, Bayfield Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bayfield Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bayfield Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bayfield Elementary?

69.5% of students at Bayfield Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,314/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bayfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Bayfield County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bayfield School District
District Enrollment
421
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,798
District Rank
#3 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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