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Very Good

#322 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 15% in state

Bruce Middle

Middle School · Bruce School District

104 W Washington Ave, Bruce, WI 54819

Enrollment

82

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bruce

#1 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#82 of 387

In district

#1 of 3

Bruce School District

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Bruce Middle

Bruce Middle serves 82 students in grades 6-8 in the small community of Bruce, Wisconsin. With just 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.1 to 1, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking an impressive #91 out of 2,112 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a small school environment. Bruce Middle draws students from a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $54,414 and median home values are $145,500. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 11.8%, and about 13% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite its small size, the school serves families throughout this tight-knit community of approximately 2,400 residents. Located at 104 W Washington Ave, Bruce Middle sits in the heart of this remote rural area in Rusk County, where students benefit from the advantages of small-town education while building strong connections with their peers and teachers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 82 students, Bruce Middle 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 9.1:1, Bruce Middle 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, Bruce Middle 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 Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg+9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,283

Bruce Middle — Students at Bruce Middle score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.9%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 42.5%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 10 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
62%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
55.2%
ELA
47.8%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Bruce Middle Compares

See how Bruce Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
85th percentile in WI
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

104 W Washington Ave, Bruce, WI 54819

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bruce Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lake Holcombe Middle (rated 8.2/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Holcombe), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ladysmith Middle (rated 8.1/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Ladysmith), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Flambeau Middle (rated 6.4/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Tony), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bruce, see our Bruce schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bruce Elementary Bruce 0.0 mi 5.3
Bruce High Bruce 0.0 mi 5.4
NORTH CEDAR ACADEMY Ladysmith 7.5 mi 7.8
OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL Ladysmith 8.4 mi 6.2
Ladysmith Elementary Ladysmith 8.7 mi 5.8
Ladysmith High Ladysmith 9.6 mi 4.1
Ladysmith Middle Ladysmith 9.6 mi 8.1
Flambeau Elementary Tony 13.6 mi 7.4
Flambeau High Tony 13.6 mi 6.0
Flambeau Middle Tony 13.6 mi 6.4
Holcombe Elementary Holcombe 18.0 mi 6.1
Holcombe High Holcombe 18.0 mi 3.5
Lake Holcombe Middle Holcombe 18.0 mi 8.2
TWIN LAKES AMISH SCHOOL New Auburn 18.5 mi
Cornell Elementary Cornell 21.2 mi 9.0
Cornell High Cornell 21.3 mi 4.7
Cornell Middle Cornell 21.3 mi 5.3
Birchwood Elementary Birchwood 19.1 mi 5.4
Birchwood High Birchwood 19.1 mi 5.1
Bobcat Virtual Academy Birchwood 19.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54819 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,026

Median Home Value

$154,000

Median Rent

$719/mo

Population

2,584

College Educated

10.8%

Homeownership

78.8%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

13%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bruce Middle has a median household income of $56,026. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,000, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Argyle Middle Argyle, WI 7.7
Prentice Middle Prentice, WI 7.7
Turtle Lake Middle Turtle Lake, WI 7.7
Cadott Junior High Cadott, WI 7.8
Fox West Academy Hortonville, WI 7.6
Manawa Middle Manawa, WI 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bruce Middle

What grades does Bruce Middle serve?

Bruce Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bruce Middle?

Bruce Middle has an enrollment of approximately 82 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bruce Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Bruce Middle is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bruce Middle rank in WI?

Bruce Middle is ranked #322 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Bruce Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Bruce Middle has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Bruce Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bruce Middle has 57.9% math proficiency and 42.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bruce Middle a charter school?

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

Is Bruce Middle a Title I school?

No, Bruce Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bruce Middle?

54.9% of students at Bruce 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (410/100K)

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
82
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Rusk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bruce School District
District Enrollment
410
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,868
District Rank
#1 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 methodology

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