Skip to main content

Excellent

#230 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 11% in state

Central Elementary

Elementary School · Rhinelander School District

418 N Pelham St, Rhinelander, WI 54501

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#230 of 2,105

In Rhinelander

#1 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Rhinelander School District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Central Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Central Elementary

8.5/10

Elementary School in Rhinelander · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Zion Lutheran School

4.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School

6.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Rhinelander, WI, part of Rhinelander School District. Central Elementary serves approximately 271 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #230 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.2
  • WI avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.6% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,786
Chronic Absenteeism7.4%

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

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 42.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
70%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
33%
ELA
24%
2012
Math
31%
ELA
28%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
43.3%
ELA
38.1%
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: 8.4/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
89th percentile in WI
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.4%

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 9.5/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Harshaw), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center (NPMLC) (rated 8.9/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Saint Germain), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Three Lakes Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Three Lakes), with a very similar rating. 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 5.5
James Williams Middle Rhinelander 0.8 mi 6.5
Crescent Elementary Rhinelander 1.8 mi 7.1
Pelican Elementary Rhinelander 2.4 mi 7.7
Sugar Camp Elementary Rhinelander 11.0 mi 8.4
Northwoods Community Elementary Harshaw 12.7 mi 9.5
Northland Pines Elementary-St Germain Saint Germain 19.2 mi 7.2
Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center (NPMLC) Saint Germain 19.2 mi 8.9
Three Lakes Elementary Three Lakes 15.7 mi 8.7
Three Lakes High Three Lakes 15.7 mi 6.8
Three Lakes Junior High Three Lakes 15.7 mi 9.4
Elcho Elementary Elcho 17.9 mi 5.7
Elcho High Elcho 17.9 mi 4.8
Elcho Middle Elcho 17.9 mi 7.3
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Eagle River 20.5 mi
Northland Pines Elementary-Eagle River Eagle River 21.6 mi 7.1
Northland Pines High Eagle River 21.6 mi 6.8
Northland Pines Middle Eagle River 21.6 mi 4.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fair Park Elementary West Bend, WI 8.5
Grantsburg Elementary Grantsburg, WI 8.5
Lakeview Elementary Neenah, WI 8.5
Lincoln Elementary Beaver Dam, WI 8.5
Manz Elementary Eau Claire, WI 8.5
Park Community Charter School Kaukauna, WI 8.5

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 ranks #230 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.4%

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

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.