Needs Improvement
#2023 of 2,102 schools in WI
Colby High
High School · Colby School District
PO Box 110, Colby, WI 54421
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Colby
#4 of 4
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#463 of 499
In district
#4 of 4
Colby School District
About Colby High
Colby High is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Colby, Wisconsin, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 299 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1, the school offers a relatively small classroom setting that allows for more individualized attention. The school has 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
Colby High currently ranks at #2010 out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin, placing it in the 5th percentile according to MySchoolScout ratings. Academically, the school scores a rating of 2.4/10 with only 27% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 14% proficient or above in math. While these numbers indicate areas where improvement is needed, they also highlight opportunities for growth and development within the community.
Colby High stands as a key institution in its rural setting, providing educational resources to the youth of Colby and surrounding areas.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Colby 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 metricsView breakdown
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Colby High — Students at Colby High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.4/10.
How Colby High Compares
See how Colby High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
PO Box 110, Colby, WI 54421
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Colby High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Spencer Junior High/High (rated 5.3/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Spencer), which scores notably higher. Another option is Abbotsford Middle/Senior High (rated 5.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Abbotsford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Medford High (rated 3.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Medford), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Colby, see our Colby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Colby Middle Colby | 0.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Colby Elementary Colby | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Little Stars Pre-School Colby | 0.1 mi | 5.2 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Colby | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Abbotsford Middle/Senior High Abbotsford | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Abbotsford Elementary Abbotsford | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| ABBOTSFORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Abbotsford | 2.5 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 | 10.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Spencer Elementary Spencer | 11.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Spencer Junior High/High Spencer | 11.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Rural Virtual Academy Medford | 14.5 mi | 3.1 |
| GREEN MEDOW SCHOOL Curtiss | 13.1 mi | — |
| ROCK CREEK AMISH SCHOOL Loyal | 13.3 mi | — |
| HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Medford | 14.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Medford Middle Medford | 15.2 mi | 5.8 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Medford | 15.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Medford High Medford | 15.5 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High Mcfarland, WI | 3.7 |
| Iowa-Grant High Livingston, WI | 3.7 |
| WHS Information Technology Milwaukee, WI | 3.7 |
| Clear Lake High Clear Lake, WI | 3.9 |
| Necedah High Necedah, WI | 3.9 |
| Shiocton High Shiocton, WI | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colby High
What grades does Colby High serve?
Colby High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Colby High?
Colby High has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Colby High?
The student-teacher ratio at Colby High is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Colby High rank in WI?
Colby High is ranked #2023 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Colby High's MySchoolScout rating?
Colby High has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Colby High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colby High has 14.5% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Colby High a charter school?
No, Colby High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Colby High a Title I school?
No, Colby High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colby High?
53.8% of students at Colby 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.
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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 299
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Clark County
- Phone
- (715) 223-2338
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colby School District- District Enrollment
- 925
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,861
- District Rank
- #4 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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