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Average

#1726 of 2,102 schools in WI

Birchwood High

High School · Birchwood School District

300 S Wilson St, Birchwood, WI 54817

Enrollment

66

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Birchwood

#3 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#330 of 499

In district

#3 of 3

Birchwood School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Birchwood High

Birchwood High serves 66 students in grades 9-12 in the remote rural community of Birchwood, Wisconsin. This small public high school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1 with 8 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking #77 out of 2,112 high schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This impressive ranking reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence despite its small size and rural location. Birchwood High draws students from Washburn County, where the median household income is $80,455 and median home values reach $248,000. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 2,247 residents, with 27% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 11.6%.

The relatively stable economic conditions of the community provide a supportive environment for student learning. The intimate school setting allows students to receive individualized attention while participating in a close-knit educational community. Birchwood High operates in Wisconsin's scenic Northwoods region, where students can experience the benefits of small-school education surrounded by the natural beauty of remote rural Wisconsin.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 66 students, Birchwood High 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 8.2:1, Birchwood High 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 High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,746

Birchwood High — Students at Birchwood High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Birchwood High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
18th percentile in WI
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

300 S Wilson St, Birchwood, WI 54817

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birchwood High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cameron High (rated 6.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Cameron), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Star Academy (rated 4.8/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Cameron), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rice Lake High (rated 4.3/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Rice Lake), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Birchwood, see our Birchwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Birchwood Elementary Birchwood 0.0 mi 5.4
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 High 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
Etude High Sheboygan, WI 5.0
Charles F Fernandez Center Alt Learning Stevens Point, WI 5.2
Juda High Juda, WI 5.2
Vincent Accelerated Academy Milwaukee, WI 4.9
River Cities High Wisconsin Rapids, WI 5.3
La Farge High La Farge, WI 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Birchwood High

What grades does Birchwood High serve?

Birchwood High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Birchwood High?

Birchwood High has an enrollment of approximately 66 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birchwood High?

The student-teacher ratio at Birchwood High is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Birchwood High rank in WI?

Birchwood High is ranked #1726 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Birchwood High's MySchoolScout rating?

Birchwood High has a composite rating of 5.1 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birchwood High has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Birchwood High a charter school?

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

Is Birchwood High a Title I school?

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

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

47.0% of students at Birchwood High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
66
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.0%
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
#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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