Northwoods Community Elementary

Northwoods Community Elementary serves 90 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Harshaw, Wisconsin. With a student-teacher ratio of 10.0 to 1, every child gets consistent, close adult attention throughout the early grades — a structural advantage that compounds over time. The school earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10, rated Exceptional, built on an academic score of 8.5 and a standout growth score of 9.4.

That growth figure matters: it signals students here advance faster than expected regardless of where they start, reflecting instructional quality rather than favorable demographics. Northwoods ranks #1 among all six schools in Rhinelander School District and sits at #19 out of 1,099 elementary schools statewide — placing it in the top 1% of Wisconsin public schools overall. For families evaluating options in northern Wisconsin, the data cuts through the noise.

A school this size, in a community this small, outperforming 99% of Wisconsin public schools is a meaningful signal. Low enrollment keeps classrooms intimate, and the growth scores confirm that intimacy translates into real academic momentum. Parents who prioritize measurable progress over a school's size or location will find the numbers here hard to argue with.

With an enrollment of 90 students, Northwoods Community Elementary 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, Northwoods Community 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.