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Very Good

#253 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 12% in state

Independence Middle

Middle School · Independence School District

23786 Indee Blvd, Independence, WI 54747

Enrollment

88

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Independence

#1 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#63 of 387

In district

#1 of 3

Independence School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Independence Middle

Independence Middle, located in the remote rural setting of Independence, Wisconsin, serves students in Grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of just 88 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, this regular public school offers personalized attention to each learner. The school has seven full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and social development of its middle schoolers.

Independence Middle's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it at the 60th percentile among Wisconsin schools with a ranking of #835 out of 2112. The academic score stands at 4.2/10, reflecting areas where the school can focus on growth and improvement. Specifically, in ELA/Reading, 45% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 40% meet proficiency standards.

Despite its modest rankings, Independence Middle is deeply embedded within its rural community, fostering a close-knit environment that values individualized learning and student development. The school's setting in the heart of Trempealeau County offers a unique backdrop for students to explore their interests and connect with nature.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 88 students, Independence Middle 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, Independence 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 Progress9.2Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.0Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,564

Independence Middle — Students at Independence Middle score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 45.1%
School
State
52.9%

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
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
49.7%
ELA
52.2%

* 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 Independence Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
88th percentile in WI
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

23786 Indee Blvd, Independence, WI 54747

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Arcadia Middle (rated 7.5/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Arcadia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Eleva-Strum Middle (rated 6.8/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Strum), a more accessible option. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Independence Elementary Independence 0.0 mi 6.0
Independence High Independence 0.0 mi 4.5
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Independence 0.2 mi 6.4
Whitehall Memorial Elementary Whitehall 4.5 mi 6.4
Whitehall Memorial Junior/Senior High Whitehall 4.5 mi 6.0
Arcadia Elementary Arcadia 8.8 mi 7.1
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arcadia 9.0 mi 5.6
Arcadia Middle Arcadia 9.3 mi 7.5
Arcadia High Arcadia 9.3 mi 3.7
FLY CREEK AMISH SCHOOL Whitehall 7.1 mi
ROLLING ACRES AMISH SCHOOL Blair 8.2 mi
LARKIN VALLEY AMISH SCHOOL Blair 8.9 mi
PINE HILL AMISH SCHOOL Blair 8.8 mi
Eleva-Strum High Strum 13.3 mi 5.5
Eleva-Strum Elementary Strum 13.3 mi 8.1
Eleva-Strum Middle Strum 13.3 mi 6.8
PINE CREEK SCHOOL Blair 10.0 mi
Blair-Taylor Middle/High Blair 11.8 mi 6.6
Blair-Taylor Elementary Blair 11.8 mi 6.9
BEREAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Galesville 16.5 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54747 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,083

Median Home Value

$175,900

Median Rent

$871/mo

Population

2,685

College Educated

14%

Homeownership

64.7%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence Middle has a median household income of $65,083. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,900, with a median rent of $871/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Lena Middle Lena, WI 7.9
Luck Middle Luck, WI 7.9
Cadott Junior High Cadott, WI 7.8
Prairie Farm Middle Prairie Farm, WI 8.1
Argyle Middle Argyle, WI 7.7
Bruce Middle Bruce, WI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Middle

What grades does Independence Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Independence Middle?

Independence Middle has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Middle is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Middle rank in WI?

Independence Middle is ranked #253 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Independence Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Middle has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Independence Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Middle has 39.6% math proficiency and 45.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence Middle a charter school?

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

Is Independence Middle a Title I school?

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

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

56.8% of students at Independence 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

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (283/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Trempealeau County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Independence School District
District Enrollment
422
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,516
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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