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Excellent

#23 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 1% in state

Cornell Elementary

Elementary School · Cornell School District

PO Box 517, Cornell, WI 54732

Enrollment

205

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cornell

#1 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#19 of 1,099

In district

#1 of 3

Cornell School District

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Cornell Elementary

Cornell Elementary is a regular public school serving 205 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Cornell, Wisconsin. MySchoolScout rates it Exceptional with a composite score of 9.0 out of 10. Academic performance earns a 9.7 and student growth earns a 9.2.

Together, those subscores drive a statewide rank of #23 among 2,102 public schools in Wisconsin — placing Cornell Elementary in the 99th percentile of all Wisconsin public schools and among the highest-ranked schools in the state regardless of level. The results carry into the elementary peer group as well. Among 1,099 Wisconsin elementary schools, Cornell Elementary places #19 — a top-2% result in a large and competitive field.

It also holds the top spot among the three public schools serving Cornell, making it the clear local choice and a statewide leader by any measure. The school runs a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, putting roughly 13 students per teacher. At 205 students total, it's a small school with a performance record that punches well above its size.

For families comparing schools in Wisconsin, that combination of a lean learning environment and a top-20 elementary ranking makes Cornell Elementary a straightforward standout.

What's said publicly about Cornell Elementary

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Cornell Elementary School is part of the Cornell School District in Wisconsin. The district recently completed a solar panel installation, supported by a donation from the Couillard Solar Foundation’s Solar on Schools program 1 . Dr. Paul M. Schley serves as the Superintendent, Director of Special Education, and Elementary Principal for the district 1 . Cornell Elementary has received multiple recognitions for academic performance. It was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2010 1 . The school has been designated a Wisconsin School of Recognition for the years 2011-2020 and 2023-2025 1 . Specifically, it received the 2023-24 Wisconsin School of Recognition award in the High Impact category, which highlights student growth, academic performance, and efforts to reduce achievement gaps 1 . Additionally, U.S. News & World Report listed Cornell Elementary as a Best Elementary School from 2021 to 2025 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.cornell.k12.wi.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Cornell 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 Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+35.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,243

Cornell Elementary — Students at Cornell Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.7%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 62.6%
School
State
50.9%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
88.2%
ELA
73%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Cornell Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.0/10
99th percentile in WI
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

PO Box 517, Cornell, WI 54732

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cornell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cadott Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Cadott), with a comparable rating. Another option is Stanley Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Stanley), a more accessible option. Additionally, Stillson Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Chippewa Falls), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cornell, see our Cornell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Cornell High Cornell 0.2 mi 4.7
Cornell Middle Cornell 0.2 mi 5.3
Holcombe Elementary Holcombe 4.0 mi 6.1
Holcombe High Holcombe 4.0 mi 3.5
Lake Holcombe Middle Holcombe 4.0 mi 8.2
Jim Falls Elementary Jim Falls 10.6 mi 5.6
Cadott Elementary Cadott 14.9 mi 8.2
Cadott High Cadott 14.9 mi 6.8
Cadott Junior High Cadott 14.9 mi 7.8
Boyd Elementary Stanley 15.9 mi 5.4
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Boyd 15.9 mi 5.4
NORTH CEDAR ACADEMY Ladysmith 20.0 mi 7.8
Stanley Correctional Institution Stanley 17.8 mi
OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL Ladysmith 20.4 mi 6.2
Ladysmith Elementary Ladysmith 20.7 mi 5.8
Stanley-Boyd Middle Stanley 17.9 mi 6.3
Stanley-Boyd High Stanley 17.9 mi 4.6
Stanley Elementary Stanley 17.9 mi 7.7
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chippewa Falls 19.2 mi
Stillson Elementary Chippewa Falls 19.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54732 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,886

Median Home Value

$173,300

Median Rent

$800/mo

Population

2,820

College Educated

11.9%

Homeownership

83.6%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cornell Elementary has a median household income of $64,886. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,300, with a median rent of $800/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Rockwell Elementary Fort Atkinson, WI 9.0
Augusta Elementary Augusta, WI 8.9
Luther Elementary Fort Atkinson, WI 8.9
Merrimac Community Merrimac, WI 8.9
River Ridge Elementary Patch Grove, WI 9.1
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) Shell Lake, WI 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cornell Elementary

What grades does Cornell Elementary serve?

Cornell Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cornell Elementary?

Cornell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 205 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cornell Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cornell Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cornell Elementary rank in WI?

Cornell Elementary is ranked #23 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Cornell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cornell Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Cornell Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cornell Elementary has 81.7% math proficiency and 62.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cornell Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cornell Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cornell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cornell Elementary?

63.9% of students at Cornell 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
47 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (267/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
205
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Chippewa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cornell School District
District Enrollment
390
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,894
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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