Average
#1518 of 2,102 schools in WI
Colby Elementary
Elementary School · Colby School District
PO Box 80, Colby, WI 54421
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Colby
#1 of 4
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#857 of 1,099
In district
#1 of 4
Colby School District
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Colby Elementary
Colby Elementary serves 343 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in the small community of Colby, Wisconsin. This regular public school operates with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment with an 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention. The school has earned recognition for its educational quality, receiving a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking as the 111th best elementary school out of 2,112 schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile among Wisconsin elementary schools.
This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in Clark County. Colby Elementary draws students from a working-class community where the median household income is $59,783 and median home values average $161,800. The local area has a 14.3% poverty rate, and about 13% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
Despite these economic challenges, the school has demonstrated its ability to support student achievement. The school is situated in Wisconsin's remote rural landscape, serving a tight-knit community of approximately 3,831 residents in the surrounding area. This rural setting provides students with a close-knit educational environment where teachers and families can work together to support each child's academic journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Colby Elementary 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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Colby Elementary — Students at Colby Elementary 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
58.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 3.9/10.
How Colby Elementary Compares
See how Colby Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 39% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
PO Box 80, Colby, WI 54421
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Colby Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stetsonville Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Stetsonville), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Medford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Colby, see our Colby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Little Stars Pre-School Colby | 0.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Colby Middle Colby | 0.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Colby High Colby | 0.1 mi | 3.8 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Colby | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Abbotsford Middle/Senior High Abbotsford | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Abbotsford Elementary Abbotsford | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| ABBOTSFORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Abbotsford | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| CHICKADEE HOLLOW MENNONITE SCHOOL Colby | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| SHADY GROVE MENNONITE SCHOOL Curtiss | 5.0 mi | 4.1 |
| MARLIN BURKHOLDER Curtiss | 6.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Stetsonville Elementary Stetsonville | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Spencer Elementary Spencer | 11.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Spencer Junior High/High Spencer | 11.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Rural Virtual Academy Medford | 14.6 mi | 3.1 |
| GREEN MEDOW SCHOOL Curtiss | 13.1 mi | — |
| ROCK CREEK AMISH SCHOOL Loyal | 13.1 mi | — |
| HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Medford | 15.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Medford Middle Medford | 15.3 mi | 5.8 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Medford | 15.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Medford High Medford | 15.6 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,738
Median Home Value
$178,800
Median Rent
$820/mo
Population
3,724
College Educated
13.7%
Homeownership
70.7%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Colby Elementary has a median household income of $59,738. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,800, with a median rent of $820/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bruce Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 5.5 |
| Edward Bain School - Dual Language Kenosha, WI | 5.5 |
| Farmington Elementary Kewaskum, WI | 5.5 |
| Hurley Elementary Hurley, WI | 5.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary Manitowoc, WI | 5.5 |
| Little Prairie Primary East Troy, WI | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colby Elementary
What grades does Colby Elementary serve?
Colby Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Colby Elementary?
Colby Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Colby Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Colby Elementary is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Colby Elementary rank in WI?
Colby Elementary is ranked #1518 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Colby Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Colby Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Colby Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colby Elementary has 41.0% math proficiency and 30.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Colby Elementary a charter school?
No, Colby Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Colby Elementary a Title I school?
No, Colby Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colby Elementary?
58.3% of students at Colby 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (348/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 343
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Clark County
- Phone
- (715) 223-3939
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colby School District- District Enrollment
- 925
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,861
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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