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Excellent

#4 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 1% in state

North Lakeland Elementary

Elementary School · North Lakeland School District

12686 County Road K, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545

Enrollment

145

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

9.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#4 of 2,105

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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North Lakeland Elementary

9.6/10

Elementary School in Manitowish Waters · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lac Du Flambeau Elementary

6.4/10

13.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Arbor Vitae-woodruff Elementary

8.7/10

16.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About North Lakeland Elementary

North Lakeland Elementary is a public elementary school in Manitowish Waters, WI, part of North Lakeland School District. North Lakeland Elementary serves approximately 145 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio. North Lakeland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #4 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for North Lakeland Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

What's said publicly about North Lakeland Elementary

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

North Lakeland School District, located in Wisconsin, was founded in 1970 and operates on an 80-acre campus that includes an Outdoor Discovery Center and five miles of hike, bike, and ski trails 1 . The school received the National Blue Ribbon School award in 2023 1 . It serves a total of 154 students with an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio and implements a 1:1 technology initiative 1 . The district emphasizes outdoor education, providing six days of dedicated outdoor education per student annually and four nights of outdoor camping experiences for middle schoolers each year 1 . Additionally, the school offers 67 lighted after-school activities at no cost 1 . Recent activities include a Writer’s Workshop facilitated by Peter Copeland and various spring events such as music concerts and dental programs 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.nles.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares2.8 pts above WI schools
  • This school 9.6 · Excellent
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

At 145 students, North Lakeland Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.5:1 students to teachers, North Lakeland Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

North Lakeland Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+21.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.9 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,020
Chronic Absenteeism15.9%

North Lakeland Elementary — Students at North Lakeland Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 68.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 40 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
66.5%
ELA
72.4%
2025
Math
75.7%
ELA
78.1%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How North Lakeland Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.6/10
100th percentile in WI
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.9%

Location

12686 County Road K, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Lakeland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center (NPMLC) (rated 8.9/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Saint Germain), with a comparable rating. Another option is Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Arbor Vitae), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Minocqua Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Minocqua), a more accessible option. For more schools in Manitowish Waters, see our Manitowish Waters schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lac du Flambeau Elementary Lac Du Flambeau 13.0 mi 6.4
Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary Arbor Vitae 16.9 mi 8.7
Mercer School Mercer 12.5 mi 7.2
Lakeland STAR School--Strong Talented Adventurous Remarkable Minocqua 19.2 mi
Lakeland STAR Acad (LSA) Minocqua 19.3 mi
Lakeland High Minocqua 19.3 mi 6.3
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Minocqua 19.4 mi 4.8
WakefieldMarenisco School Wakefield 23.0 mi 6.5
Minocqua Elementary Minocqua 23.6 mi 8.4
Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center (NPMLC) Saint Germain 22.4 mi 8.9
Northland Pines Elementary-St Germain Saint Germain 22.4 mi 7.2
Washington School Bessemer 25.0 mi 6.0
BLUFF VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bessemer 25.3 mi
AD Johnston JrSr High School Bessemer 25.3 mi 7.0
Luther L Wright K12 School Ironwood 26.8 mi 7.3
Gogebic Co Community Education Ironwood 27.7 mi 5.2
NORTHWOODS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hurley 27.4 mi
GogebicOntonagon ISD Special Education Bergland 31.9 mi 7.7
Hurley High Hurley 28.0 mi 6.1
Hurley Elementary Hurley 28.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54545 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,607

Median Home Value

$647,500

Median Rent

$1,107/mo

Population

954

College Educated

52.6%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

62

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bluff View Elementary Prairie Du Chien, WI 9.6
Chain Exploration Center Waupaca, WI 9.5
Jefferson Elementary Menasha, WI 9.5
Northwoods Community Elementary Harshaw, WI 9.5
South Shore Elementary Port Wing, WI 9.5
Wauzeka Elementary Wauzeka, WI 9.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Lakeland Elementary

What grades does North Lakeland Elementary serve?

North Lakeland Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend North Lakeland Elementary?

North Lakeland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 145 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Lakeland Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at North Lakeland Elementary is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Lakeland Elementary rank in WI?

North Lakeland Elementary ranks #4 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is North Lakeland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

North Lakeland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at North Lakeland Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Lakeland Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is North Lakeland Elementary a charter school?

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

Is North Lakeland Elementary a Title I school?

No, North Lakeland Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

33.1% of students at North Lakeland 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Vilas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.9%

District

North Lakeland School District
District Enrollment
145
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,020
District Rank
#1 of 1

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