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Below Average

#1818 of 2,102 schools in WI

Colby Middle

Middle School · Colby School District

PO Box 110, Colby, WI 54421

Enrollment

223

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colby

#3 of 4

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#380 of 387

In district

#3 of 4

Colby School District

About Colby Middle

Colby Middle is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural area of Colby, Wisconsin. The school serves students in grades six through eight with an enrollment of 223 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, supported by 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size and rural setting, the academic performance at Colby Middle is considered to have room for improvement, as reflected in the school’s MySchoolScout Rating of 3.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1808 out of 2112 Wisconsin schools.

Students perform around 30% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 26% proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where the school can focus on growth and development. Colby Middle’s setting is quite unique, nestled in a remote rural area that offers a close-knit community feel for students and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Colby Middle 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 Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-35.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,180

Colby Middle — Students at Colby Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 29.7%
School
State
52.9%

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
27%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
28.6%
ELA
31.9%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Colby Middle Compares

See how Colby Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in WI
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO Box 110, Colby, WI 54421

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colby Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Medford Middle (rated 5.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Medford), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MARLIN BURKHOLDER (rated 4.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Curtiss), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SHADY GROVE MENNONITE SCHOOL (rated 4.1/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Curtiss), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Colby, see our Colby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Colby High Colby 0.1 mi 3.8
Colby Elementary Colby 0.1 mi 5.5
Little Stars Pre-School Colby 0.1 mi 5.2
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 2.6 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 13.2 mi
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Medford 15.0 mi 6.7
Medford Middle Medford 15.3 mi 5.8
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Medford 15.4 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 Middle 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
King International Baccalaureate Middle Milwaukee, WI 5.0
Lincoln Middle Milwaukee, WI 5.1
Waupun Area Junior High Waupun, WI 5.1
Crandon Middle Crandon, WI 5.3
Pardeeville Middle Pardeeville, WI 4.2
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee, WI 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colby Middle

What grades does Colby Middle serve?

Colby Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Colby Middle?

Colby Middle has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colby Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Colby Middle is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colby Middle rank in WI?

Colby Middle is ranked #1818 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Colby Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Colby Middle has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colby Middle has 26.0% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Colby Middle a charter school?

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

Is Colby Middle a Title I school?

No, Colby Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colby Middle?

64.6% of students at Colby Middle 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
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
#3 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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