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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Math vs. State Avg-37.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,835

Butternut High — Students at Butternut High score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.4%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 50.5%
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
15%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2025
Math
45.6%
ELA
57.9%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Butternut High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
92th percentile in WI
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (399/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Butternut School District
District Enrollment
188
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,366
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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