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Very Good

#306 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 15% in state

Central Elementary

Elementary School · Rhinelander School District

418 N Pelham St, Rhinelander, WI 54501

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rhinelander

#2 of 6

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#198 of 1,099

In district

#2 of 6

Rhinelander School District

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary serves 271 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school earns a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #456 out of 2,112 Wisconsin elementary schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide.

This performance indicates Central Elementary is performing well above average compared to other schools across Wisconsin. Central Elementary operates within a stable community where the median household income reaches $64,114 and the poverty rate sits at a manageable 11.0%. The surrounding neighborhood shows economic stability with median home values around $172,200, while 25% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education.

Families considering Central Elementary will find a well-regarded school with strong performance metrics and manageable class sizes. The school's location in Rhinelander, a remote town in Oneida County, offers a close-knit community atmosphere where students can receive personalized attention while benefiting from the school's above-average academic standing within Wisconsin's educational landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Math vs. State Avg-22.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,517

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.2%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 38.5%
School
State
50.9%

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
38%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
58.6%
ELA
42.9%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in WI
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

418 N Pelham St, Rhinelander, WI 54501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Northwoods Community Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Harshaw), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sugar Camp Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 11.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northland Pines Elementary-Eagle River (rated 8.6/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rhinelander, see our Rhinelander schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rhinelander 0.2 mi 4.6
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rhinelander 0.5 mi 6.4
Rhinelander High Rhinelander 0.5 mi 6.8
James Williams Middle Rhinelander 0.8 mi 7.1
Crescent Elementary Rhinelander 1.8 mi 5.6
Pelican Elementary Rhinelander 2.4 mi 7.6
Sugar Camp Elementary Rhinelander 11.0 mi 8.8
Northwoods Community Elementary Harshaw 12.7 mi 9.0
Northland Pines Elementary-St Germain Saint Germain 19.2 mi 6.0
Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center (NPMLC) Saint Germain 19.2 mi 7.4
Three Lakes Elementary Three Lakes 15.7 mi 7.3
Three Lakes High Three Lakes 15.7 mi 6.9
Three Lakes Junior High Three Lakes 15.7 mi 8.2
Elcho Elementary Elcho 17.9 mi 7.9
Elcho High Elcho 17.9 mi 4.6
Elcho Middle Elcho 17.9 mi 6.5
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Eagle River 20.5 mi
Northland Pines Elementary-Eagle River Eagle River 21.6 mi 8.6
Northland Pines High Eagle River 21.6 mi 7.3
Northland Pines Middle Eagle River 21.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,602

Median Home Value

$194,900

Median Rent

$831/mo

Population

21,096

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

83%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

47.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $68,602. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $194,900, with a median rent of $831/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
EAGLE SCHOOL OF MADISON Madison, WI 7.8
Franklin Elementary Appleton, WI 7.8
Frederic Elementary Frederic, WI 7.8
Harmony Elementary Janesville, WI 7.8
Hilltop Elementary Rice Lake, WI 7.8
Horizons Elementary Appleton, WI 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary

What grades does Central Elementary serve?

Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary?

Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary rank in WI?

Central Elementary is ranked #306 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary 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 Central Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 49.2% math proficiency and 38.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Central Elementary a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?

66.1% of students at Central Elementary 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
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,828/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rhinelander). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Oneida County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rhinelander School District
District Enrollment
2,298
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,786
District Rank
#2 of 6

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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