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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,180

Colby Elementary — Students at Colby Elementary 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

58.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.0%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
50.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
38%
ELA
34.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.5/10
28th percentile in WI
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Colby School District
District Enrollment
925
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,861
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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