Below Average
#1788 of 2,102 schools in WI
Darlington High
High School · Darlington Community School District
11838 Center Hill Rd, Darlington, WI 53530
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Darlington
#2 of 2
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#353 of 499
In district
#2 of 2
Darlington Community School District
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Darlington High
Darlington High serves 257 students in grades 9 through 12 in rural Lafayette County, Wisconsin. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with an 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and stronger student-teacher relationships. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #117 out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a smaller school setting. Darlington High draws students from a stable rural community where the median household income is $65,172 and median home values are $147,200. The area maintains a 10.3% poverty rate, and about 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
This community backdrop provides students with the benefits of small-town values and close-knit relationships. The school's location at 11838 Center Hill Road places it in a remote rural setting, offering students a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while fostering the kind of community connections that rural Wisconsin schools are known for.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Darlington 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
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Darlington High — Students at Darlington High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.1%
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: 1.3/10.
How Darlington High Compares
See how Darlington High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
11838 Center Hill Rd, Darlington, WI 53530
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Darlington High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Belmont High (rated 6.9/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is Scales Mound High School (rated 6.6/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Scales Mound), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Argyle High (rated 6.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Argyle), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Darlington, see our Darlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Darlington Elementary/Middle Darlington | 0.1 mi | 6.4 |
| HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Darlington | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Shullsburg Elementary Shullsburg | 8.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Shullsburg High Shullsburg | 8.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Shullsburg Junior High Shullsburg | 8.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Mineral Point Elementary Mineral Point | 13.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Mineral Point High Mineral Point | 14.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Mineral Point Middle Mineral Point | 14.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Belmont Elementary Belmont | 11.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Belmont High Belmont | 11.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Warren Jr/Sr High School Warren | 13.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Warren Elementary School Warren | 13.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Scales Mound High School Scales Mound | 14.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Scales Mound Elem School Scales Mound | 14.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Scales Mound Jr High School Scales Mound | 14.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Argyle Elementary Argyle | 13.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Argyle High Argyle | 13.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Argyle Middle Argyle | 13.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Black Hawk High South Wayne | 14.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Black Hawk Middle South Wayne | 14.3 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53530 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,598
Median Home Value
$175,000
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
4,581
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
76.3%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding Darlington High has a median household income of $69,598. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,000, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Bangor Middle/High Bangor, WI | 4.9 |
| Chetek-Weyerhaeuser High Chetek, WI | 4.9 |
| Deerfield High Deerfield, WI | 4.9 |
| Glenwood City High Glenwood City, WI | 4.9 |
| Howards Grove High Howards Grove, WI | 4.9 |
| Southern Door High Brussels, WI | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Darlington High
What grades does Darlington High serve?
Darlington High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Darlington High?
Darlington High has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Darlington High?
The student-teacher ratio at Darlington High is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Darlington High rank in WI?
Darlington High is ranked #1788 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Darlington High's MySchoolScout rating?
Darlington High has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Darlington High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Darlington High has 43.3% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Darlington High a charter school?
No, Darlington High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Darlington High a Title I school?
No, Darlington High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Darlington High?
40.1% of students at Darlington 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (396/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Darlington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 257
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lafayette County
- Phone
- (608) 776-4001
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Darlington Community School District- District Enrollment
- 890
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,929
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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