Average
#1048 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 50% in state
Northwestern Elementary
Elementary School · Maple School District
PO Box 76, Poplar, WI 54864
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Poplar
#2 of 2
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#610 of 1,099
In district
#3 of 4
Maple School District
Equity
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Northwestern Elementary
Northwestern Elementary is a regular public school in Poplar, Wisconsin, located in the heart of Douglas County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 502 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 and 30 full-time equivalent teachers, Northwestern Elementary provides a supportive learning environment for its young learners.
Northwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, reflecting the school’s commitment to continuous improvement. The academic performance is rated at 7.1/10, with 54% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in both ELA and math. These scores indicate that while Northwestern Elementary has room for growth, it remains dedicated to student development and fostering a strong educational foundation.
Northwestern Elementary is situated in a rural setting, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community. The school's location in Poplar makes it an integral part of the local area, where teachers and families work together to support each child’s academic journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwestern Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Northwestern Elementary — Students at Northwestern Elementary score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.9/10.
How Northwestern Elementary Compares
See how Northwestern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 46% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 40% (2021).
Location
PO Box 76, Poplar, WI 54864
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwestern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Superior), which scores notably higher. Another option is LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Duluth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter (rated 8.3/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Solon Springs), 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 | 6.7 |
| Northwestern High Maple | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Solon Springs School Solon Springs | 16.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Eagles' Wings Virtual Charter School Solon Springs | 16.8 mi | — |
| Eagles' Wings Public Montessori Charter Solon Springs | 16.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Eagles Academy Solon Springs | 16.8 mi | — |
| Lake Superior Elementary Superior | 12.9 mi | 3.5 |
| TWIN PORTS BAPTIST SCHOOL Superior | 13.4 mi | — |
| Four Corners Elementary Superior | 15.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Great Lakes Elementary Superior | 17.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Iron River Elementary Iron River | 16.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Superior High Superior | 17.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Bryant Elementary Superior | 17.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Superior Middle Superior | 17.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Northern Lights Elementary Superior | 18.1 mi | 7.3 |
| CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Superior | 18.6 mi | 9.0 |
| LESTER PARK ELEMENTARY Duluth | 21.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Superior Community Preschool Superior | 18.4 mi | 5.2 |
| East High School Duluth | 21.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Rockridge Academy Duluth | 22.2 mi | 7.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwestern Elementary has a median household income of $80,781. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,900, with a median rent of $993/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Addison Elementary Hartford, WI | 6.5 |
| Brooklyn Elementary Brooklyn, WI | 6.5 |
| East Elementary Baraboo, WI | 6.5 |
| Eisenhower Elementary Green Bay, WI | 6.5 |
| Lac du Flambeau Elementary Lac Du Flambeau, WI | 6.5 |
| Lowell Elementary Madison, WI | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #1048 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Northwestern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwestern Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Northwestern Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwestern Elementary has 54.0% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (360/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (715) 364-8465
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Maple School District- District Enrollment
- 1,278
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,408
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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 methodologyRelated reading
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