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Very Good

#287 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 14% in state

Black River Falls Middle

Middle School · Black River Falls School District

1202 Pierce St, Black River Falls, WI 54615

Enrollment

337

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Black River Falls

#1 of 4

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#72 of 387

In district

#1 of 4

Black River Falls School District

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Black River Falls Middle

Black River Falls Middle serves 337 students in grades 6 through 8 in the town of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong overall performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks impressively at #79 out of 2,112 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education to its middle school students during these crucial transitional years. Located at 1202 Pierce Street, Black River Falls Middle sits in Jackson County within a community of nearly 11,000 residents. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class character, with a median household income of $59,556 and median home values around $174,300.

About 15% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 14.4%. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this close-knit Wisconsin town, providing middle school students with a supportive learning environment as they prepare for high school and beyond.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.2Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Math vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.8 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,243

Black River Falls Middle — Students at Black River Falls Middle score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.2%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 37.3%
School
State
52.9%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
31%
2025
Math
39.3%
ELA
43.1%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Black River Falls Middle Compares

See how Black River Falls Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in WI
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

1202 Pierce St, Black River Falls, WI 54615

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Black River Falls Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sparta Meadowview Middle (rated 6.9/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Sparta), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Innovations STEM Academy (rated 5.4/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Sparta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Black River Falls, see our Black River Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Black River Falls High Black River Falls 0.1 mi 5.7
Forrest Street Elementary School Black River Falls 0.9 mi 7.3
Red Creek Elementary Black River Falls 1.0 mi 7.1
Lincoln Jr/Sr High School Alma Center 10.2 mi 7.2
Lincoln Elementary Merrillan 11.0 mi 6.1
Melrose-Mindoro Elementary Melrose 17.1 mi 7.7
Melrose-Mindoro Junior/Senior High Melrose 17.1 mi 6.2
BEAVER CREEK SCHOOL Ettrick 14.3 mi
Innovations STEM Academy Sparta 23.3 mi 5.4
Sparta Meadowview Middle Sparta 23.3 mi 6.9
Herrman Elementary Sparta 23.5 mi 7.6
Blair-Taylor Middle/High Blair 17.1 mi 6.6
Blair-Taylor Elementary Blair 17.1 mi 6.9
Sparta High Sparta 23.9 mi 3.9
Sparta Montessori School Sparta 24.0 mi 3.6
Sparta Alternative Independent Learning School Sparta 24.0 mi 4.5
ST PATRICKS SCHOOL Sparta 24.3 mi 7.5
SPARTA MENNONITE SCHOOL Sparta 24.7 mi
PINE CREEK SCHOOL Blair 18.1 mi
Southside Early Learning Center Sparta 24.8 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54615 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,391

Median Home Value

$190,200

Median Rent

$782/mo

Population

11,054

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

71.8%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Black River Falls Middle has a median household income of $63,391. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,200, with a median rent of $782/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Berlin Middle Berlin, WI 7.8
Campbellsport Middle Campbellsport, WI 7.8
North Shore Middle Hartland, WI 7.8
ST FRANCIS XAVIER MIDDLE SCHOOL Appleton, WI 7.8
Savanna Oaks Middle Fitchburg, WI 7.8
John Long Middle Grafton, WI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Black River Falls Middle

What grades does Black River Falls Middle serve?

Black River Falls Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Black River Falls Middle?

Black River Falls Middle has an enrollment of approximately 337 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Black River Falls Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Black River Falls Middle is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Black River Falls Middle rank in WI?

Black River Falls Middle is ranked #287 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Black River Falls Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Black River Falls Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Black River Falls Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black River Falls Middle has 34.2% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Black River Falls Middle a charter school?

No, Black River Falls Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Black River Falls Middle a Title I school?

No, Black River Falls Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black River Falls Middle?

53.4% of students at Black River Falls Middle 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

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (596/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Black River Falls School District
District Enrollment
1,603
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,316
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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