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Very Good

#583 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 28% in state

Northern Lights Elementary

Elementary School · Superior School District

1201 N 28th St, Superior, WI 54880

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Superior

#2 of 9

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#355 of 1,099

In district

#2 of 9

Superior School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Northern Lights Elementary

Northern Lights Elementary is a public elementary school located in Superior, Wisconsin, in the heart of Douglas County. Situated at 1201 N 28th St, it serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 452 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, Northern Lights Elementary offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.

The school has 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide a supportive educational environment. Despite its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.6 out of 10, the school is continually striving for improvement. In terms of proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Reading, 44% of students are proficient or above, while 38% achieve this level in Math.

Northern Lights Elementary is situated in a mid-size suburb where community engagement plays a significant role in supporting student development. The school focuses on creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for all its learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Math vs. State Avg-36.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,747

Northern Lights Elementary — Students at Northern Lights Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.1%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 43.9%
School
State
50.9%

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
30%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
24%
2025
Math
47.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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 Northern Lights Elementary Compares

See how Northern Lights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in WI
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1201 N 28th St, Superior, WI 54880

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Lights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Great Lakes Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cooper Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Superior, see our Superior schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Superior High Superior 0.5 mi 7.1
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Superior 0.8 mi 9.0
Superior Community Preschool Superior 0.7 mi 5.2
Superior Middle Superior 1.0 mi 6.6
Great Lakes Elementary Superior 1.2 mi 7.3
Cooper Elementary Superior 1.5 mi 6.0
Bryant Elementary Superior 3.0 mi 6.0
HARBOR CITY INTERNATIONAL CHARTER Duluth 5.1 mi 8.2
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Duluth 5.2 mi 5.7
DENFELD HIGH SCHOOL Duluth 4.1 mi 5.9
LINCOLN PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Duluth 4.5 mi 6.4
MERRITT CREEK ACADEMY Duluth 4.4 mi 6.8
DULUTH AREA LEARNING CENTER Duluth 5.4 mi 7.5
Academic Excellence Online Duluth 5.4 mi 7.3
ALC Independent Study Duluth 5.4 mi 5.7
ALC School Within a School Duluth 5.4 mi 5.2
LAURA MACARTHUR ELEMENTARY Duluth 4.1 mi 3.6
RALEIGH PRIMARY/EL ACADEMY Duluth 4.0 mi 5.0
SPECIAL ED. N.P. Duluth 6.2 mi
THE BRIDGE Duluth 6.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54880 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,942

Median Home Value

$176,700

Median Rent

$901/mo

Population

30,211

College Educated

28.3%

Homeownership

63.8%

Avg Commute

17.3 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northern Lights Elementary has a median household income of $66,942. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,700, with a median rent of $901/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Belleville Elementary Belleville, WI 7.3
Bonduel Elementary Bonduel, WI 7.3
Cedar Grove-Belgium Elementary Cedar Grove, WI 7.3
County Line Elementary Germantown, WI 7.3
Cumberland Elementary Cumberland, WI 7.3
Donges Bay Elementary Mequon, WI 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Lights Elementary

What grades does Northern Lights Elementary serve?

Northern Lights Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Northern Lights Elementary?

Northern Lights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Lights Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Lights Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Lights Elementary rank in WI?

Northern Lights Elementary is ranked #583 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Northern Lights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Lights Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Northern Lights Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Lights Elementary has 38.1% math proficiency and 43.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northern Lights Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Northern Lights Elementary a Title I school?

No, Northern Lights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Lights Elementary?

66.6% of students at Northern Lights 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
41 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,429/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Superior). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Douglas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Superior School District
District Enrollment
4,023
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,892
District Rank
#2 of 9

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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