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Average

#1564 of 2,102 schools in WI

Birchwood Elementary

Elementary School · Birchwood School District

300 S Wilson St, Birchwood, WI 54817

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Birchwood

#2 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#877 of 1,099

In district

#2 of 3

Birchwood School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Birchwood Elementary

Birchwood Elementary serves 87 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in this small Wisconsin community, maintaining an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1 with nine full-time teachers. The school has earned recognition as one of Wisconsin's top-performing elementary schools, ranking #76 out of 2,112 schools statewide and placing in the 96th percentile with a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This intimate learning environment allows for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships, which likely contributes to the school's impressive academic standing.

The small class sizes create opportunities for individualized instruction and close monitoring of student progress. The surrounding Birchwood community reflects a stable, middle-class area with a median household income of $80,455 and median home values around $248,000. With 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 11.6%, families in this ZIP code of 2,247 residents generally value education and maintain economic stability.

Birchwood Elementary sits in Wisconsin's remote rural Washburn County on South Wilson Street, offering students a peaceful small-town educational experience surrounded by the natural beauty and tight-knit community spirit characteristic of northern Wisconsin.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 87 students, Birchwood 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 9.7:1, Birchwood 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, Birchwood 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 Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Math vs. State Avg-19.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,746

Birchwood Elementary — Students at Birchwood Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.9%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 44.9%
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
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2025
Math
20.2%
ELA
41.9%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Birchwood Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
26th percentile in WI
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

300 S Wilson St, Birchwood, WI 54817

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birchwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hilltop Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Rice Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cameron Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Cameron), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Rice Lake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Birchwood, see our Birchwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Birchwood High Birchwood 0.0 mi 5.1
Bobcat Virtual Academy Birchwood 0.0 mi
Birchwood Middle Birchwood 0.0 mi 8.2
Birchwood Public Montessori Birchwood 0.1 mi
Haugen Elementary Haugen 11.5 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Rice Lake 13.6 mi 6.8
REDEEMER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rice Lake 14.3 mi
Tainter Elementary Rice Lake 14.8 mi 5.9
Rice Lake High Rice Lake 14.2 mi 4.3
Hilltop Day Care and Preschool Rice Lake 14.4 mi
Hilltop Elementary Rice Lake 14.4 mi 7.8
Rice Lake Middle Rice Lake 14.5 mi 7.4
ST FRANCIS SOLANUS SCHOOL Stone Lake 18.2 mi
NORTHWOODS MENNONITE SCHOOL Hayward 19.1 mi 4.7
Cameron Elementary Cameron 18.6 mi 7.8
Cameron Middle Cameron 19.5 mi 7.3
North Star Academy Cameron 19.5 mi 4.8
Cameron High Cameron 19.5 mi 6.1
Cameron Academy of Virtual Education Cameron 19.5 mi 5.5
Bruce Elementary Bruce 19.1 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54817 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,000

Median Home Value

$259,100

Median Rent

$613/mo

Population

2,105

College Educated

27.4%

Homeownership

88.8%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

57.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Birchwood Elementary has a median household income of $85,000. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,100, with a median rent of $613/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Coon Valley Elementary Coon Valley, WI 5.4
Eagleville Charter School Eagle, WI 5.4
Hewitt-Texas Elementary Wausau, WI 5.4
NORTH SHORE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Glendale, WI 5.4
ST CHARLES BORROMEO PRIMARY SCHOOL Chippewa Falls, WI 5.4
ST LUKE'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oakfield, WI 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Birchwood Elementary

What grades does Birchwood Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Birchwood Elementary?

Birchwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birchwood Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Birchwood Elementary is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Birchwood Elementary rank in WI?

Birchwood Elementary is ranked #1564 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Birchwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Birchwood Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Birchwood Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birchwood Elementary has 27.9% math proficiency and 44.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Birchwood Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Birchwood Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

50.6% of students at Birchwood 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

County Safety
Average (484/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Washburn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Birchwood School District
District Enrollment
226
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,303
District Rank
#2 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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