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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-10 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness4.9Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,704

Darlington High — Students at Darlington High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 43.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.8%
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
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
15th percentile in WI
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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