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
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bayfield Elementary — Students at Bayfield Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (715) 779-3201
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bayfield School District- District Enrollment
- 421
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,798
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.