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Very Good

#745 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 35% in state

Northwestern Elementary

Elementary School · Maple School District

PO Box 76, Poplar, WI 54864

Enrollment

502

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#745 of 2,105

In Poplar

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Maple School District

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Northwestern Elementary

7.3/10

Elementary School in Poplar · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northwestern Middle

7.6/10

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

Northwestern High

4.6/10

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

About Northwestern Elementary

Northwestern Elementary is a public elementary school in Poplar, WI, part of Maple School District. Northwestern Elementary serves approximately 502 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #745 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Northwestern Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.9
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Northwestern 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 Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.4% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,408
Chronic Absenteeism13.7%

Northwestern Elementary — Students at Northwestern Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 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
83%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
53.5%
ELA
36.1%
2025
Math
55.4%
ELA
62.9%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Northwestern Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
65th percentile in WI
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

Location

PO Box 76, Poplar, WI 54864

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwestern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 9.2/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Duluth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter (rated 9.1/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Solon Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Superior), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Poplar, see our Poplar schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwestern Middle Poplar 0.3 mi 7.6
Northwestern High Maple 1.8 mi 4.6
Solon Springs School Solon Springs 16.8 mi 4.4
Eagles' Wings Virtual Charter School Solon Springs 16.8 mi
Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter Solon Springs 16.8 mi 9.1
Eagles Academy Solon Springs 16.8 mi
Lake Superior Elementary Superior 12.9 mi 5.3
TWIN PORTS BAPTIST SCHOOL Superior 13.4 mi
Four Corners Elementary Superior 15.4 mi 5.9
Great Lakes Elementary Superior 17.0 mi 7.0
Iron River Elementary Iron River 16.5 mi 8.6
Superior High Superior 17.6 mi 4.7
Bryant Elementary Superior 17.1 mi 7.8
Superior Middle Superior 17.9 mi 5.7
Northern Lights Elementary Superior 18.1 mi 6.7
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Superior 18.6 mi 9.0
LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY Duluth 21.5 mi 9.2
Superior Community Preschool Superior 18.4 mi 3.8
East High School Duluth 21.4 mi 6.5
Rockridge Academy Duluth 22.2 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54864 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,781

Median Home Value

$221,900

Median Rent

$993/mo

Population

1,534

College Educated

27.3%

Homeownership

96.4%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

43.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bethesda Elementary Waukesha, WI 7.3
Birnamwood Elementary Birnamwood, WI 7.3
Core Knowledge Charter School Verona, WI 7.3
Country View Elementary Verona, WI 7.3
Decorah Elementary West Bend, WI 7.3
Dodgeland Elementary Juneau, WI 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwestern Elementary

What grades does Northwestern Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Northwestern Elementary?

Northwestern Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwestern Elementary is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwestern Elementary rank in WI?

Northwestern Elementary ranks #745 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Northwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwestern Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Northwestern Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwestern Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Northwestern Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Northwestern Elementary a Title I school?

No, Northwestern Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

37.8% of students at Northwestern 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Douglas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

District

Maple School District
District Enrollment
1,278
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,408
District Rank
#3 of 4

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