Excellent
#170 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 8% in state
Butternut High
High School · Butternut School District
PO Box 247, Butternut, WI 54514
Enrollment
95
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
95
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Butternut
#2 of 2
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#15 of 499
In district
#2 of 2
Butternut School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Butternut High
Butternut High serves 95 students in grades 6-12 in this small Ashland County community, earning an impressive 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 93rd out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide. With just 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for highly personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. This strong academic performance reflects the school's ability to provide quality education despite its small size.
The intimate learning environment enables teachers to tailor instruction to individual student needs and foster a supportive community atmosphere where every student is known and valued. The surrounding Butternut community of nearly 2,000 residents maintains a median household income of $71,328 and a low poverty rate of just 6.0%, creating a stable foundation for student learning. With a median home value of $150,200 and 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the area demonstrates a commitment to education and community investment.
Butternut High operates in Wisconsin's remote rural Northwoods, where students experience small-town values and close community connections while receiving a surprisingly strong academic foundation for their future endeavors.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 95 students, Butternut 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 7.9:1, Butternut 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, Butternut 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
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Butternut High — Students at Butternut High score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How Butternut High Compares
See how Butternut High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2021).
Location
PO Box 247, Butternut, WI 54514
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Butternut High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Phillips High (rated 6.3/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Phillips), a more accessible option. Another option is Gogebic Co Community Education (rated 6.3/10, 35.3 miles away, in nearby Ironwood), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hurley High (rated 6.0/10, 33.4 miles away, in nearby Hurley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Butternut, see our Butternut schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 35.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Butternut Elementary Butternut | 0.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Promethean Charter School Butternut | 0.0 mi | — |
| Park Falls Elementary Park Falls | 5.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Chequamegon High Park Falls | 5.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Glidden Elementary Glidden | 9.0 mi | — |
| Chequamegon Middle Glidden | 9.0 mi | 6.4 |
| LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Phillips | 21.6 mi | — |
| Phillips High Phillips | 22.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Phillips Middle Phillips | 22.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Phillips Elementary Phillips | 23.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Mellen Public School Mellen | 22.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Mercer School Mercer | 23.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Prentice Elementary Prentice | 34.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Prentice High Prentice | 34.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Prentice Middle Prentice | 34.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Hurley High Hurley | 33.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Hurley Elementary Hurley | 33.4 mi | 5.5 |
| NORTHWOODS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hurley | 33.9 mi | — |
| Luther L Wright K12 School Ironwood | 34.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Gogebic Co Community Education Ironwood | 35.3 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54514 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,875
Median Home Value
$158,700
Median Rent
$633/mo
Population
1,810
College Educated
20.8%
Homeownership
84.4%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
55.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Butternut High has a median household income of $73,875. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,700, with a median rent of $633/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Little Chute Career Pathways Academy Little Chute, WI | 8.1 |
| WAYLAND ACADEMY Beaver Dam, WI | 8.1 |
| YOUTH INITIATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Viroqua, WI | 8.1 |
| Alma High Alma, WI | 8.2 |
| CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Burlington, WI | 8.0 |
| Escuela Verde Milwaukee, WI | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Butternut High
What grades does Butternut High serve?
Butternut High serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Butternut High?
Butternut High has an enrollment of approximately 95 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Butternut High?
The student-teacher ratio at Butternut High is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Butternut High rank in WI?
Butternut High is ranked #170 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Butternut High's MySchoolScout rating?
Butternut High has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Butternut High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Butternut High has 33.4% math proficiency and 50.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Butternut High a charter school?
No, Butternut High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Butternut High a Title I school?
No, Butternut High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Butternut High?
57.9% of students at Butternut 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 95
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Ashland County
- Phone
- (715) 769-3434
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Butternut School District- District Enrollment
- 188
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,366
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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
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