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Below Average

#1849 of 2,102 schools in WI

Cornell High

High School · Cornell School District

PO Box 517, Cornell, WI 54732

Enrollment

104

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cornell

#3 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#381 of 499

In district

#3 of 3

Cornell School District

About Cornell High

Cornell High is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Cornell, Wisconsin. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 104 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1. There are six full-time equivalent teachers providing instruction.

Academically, Cornell High has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranks as the 1946th best school in Wisconsin among 2112 schools, placing it at the 8th percentile. The ELA/reading proficiency rate is 28%, while the math proficiency rate is also 28%. These scores suggest there is room for academic growth, but the close-knit rural setting offers a supportive environment for students to develop and thrive.

Cornell High sits in a small town where students can benefit from strong community ties and personal connections with teachers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 104 students, Cornell High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Cornell 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 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,243

Cornell High — Students at Cornell High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Cornell High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
12th percentile in WI
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

PO Box 517, Cornell, WI 54732

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cornell High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTH CEDAR ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Ladysmith), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cadott High (rated 6.8/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Cadott), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stanley-Boyd High (rated 4.6/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Stanley), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cornell, see our Cornell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Cornell Middle Cornell 0.0 mi 5.3
Cornell Elementary Cornell 0.2 mi 9.0
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 14.8 mi 8.2
Cadott High Cadott 14.9 mi 6.8
Cadott Junior High Cadott 14.9 mi 7.8
Boyd Elementary Stanley 15.7 mi 5.4
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Boyd 15.8 mi 5.4
Stanley Correctional Institution Stanley 17.6 mi
NORTH CEDAR ACADEMY Ladysmith 20.0 mi 7.8
OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL Ladysmith 20.5 mi 6.2
Stanley-Boyd Middle Stanley 17.7 mi 6.3
Stanley-Boyd High Stanley 17.7 mi 4.6
Stanley Elementary Stanley 17.7 mi 7.7
Ladysmith Elementary Ladysmith 20.8 mi 5.8
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chippewa Falls 19.2 mi
Ladysmith High Ladysmith 21.4 mi 4.1

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 High 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
Rib Lake High Rib Lake, WI 4.7
Shalom High Milwaukee, WI 4.7
Waukesha East Alternative School Waukesha, WI 4.7
Wauzeka High Wauzeka, WI 4.7
Florence High Florence, WI 4.8
La Farge High La Farge, WI 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cornell High

What grades does Cornell High serve?

Cornell High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cornell High?

Cornell High has an enrollment of approximately 104 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cornell High?

The student-teacher ratio at Cornell High is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cornell High rank in WI?

Cornell High is ranked #1849 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Cornell High's MySchoolScout rating?

Cornell High has a composite rating of 4.7 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cornell High has 27.5% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cornell High a charter school?

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

Is Cornell High a Title I school?

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

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

56.7% of students at Cornell 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (267/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.7%
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
#3 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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