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Very Good

#394 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 19% in state

Pelican Elementary

Elementary School · Rhinelander School District

3350 V Hickey Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501

Enrollment

265

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rhinelander

#3 of 6

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#255 of 1,099

In district

#3 of 6

Rhinelander School District

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Pelican Elementary

Pelican Elementary serves 265 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. This regular public school operates with an impressive 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio, providing individualized attention through its 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #458 out of 2112 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This performance reflects the dedication of both staff and families in supporting student success. Pelican Elementary draws families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $64,114 and home values average $172,200. The surrounding area shows a relatively low poverty rate of 11.0%, with about a quarter of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

These community characteristics often contribute to strong family engagement and educational support. The school's small class sizes create an environment where teachers can build meaningful relationships with students and tailor instruction to individual learning needs. This personalized approach helps foster both academic growth and social development during these crucial elementary years.

Pelican Elementary is nestled in a rural area near Rhinelander, offering students a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while still maintaining access to the resources and opportunities of the nearby town.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Pelican Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Pelican 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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-22.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.2 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,517

Pelican Elementary — Students at Pelican Elementary score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.3%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 41.1%
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
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
42.6%
ELA
47.2%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Pelican Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
81th percentile in WI
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

3350 V Hickey Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pelican Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Northwoods Community Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Harshaw), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sugar Camp Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 11.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northland Pines Elementary-Eagle River (rated 8.6/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rhinelander, see our Rhinelander schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.2 mi
School Distance Rating
James Williams Middle Rhinelander 2.0 mi 7.1
Rhinelander High Rhinelander 2.2 mi 6.8
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rhinelander 2.2 mi 6.4
Central Elementary Rhinelander 2.4 mi 7.8
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rhinelander 2.4 mi 4.6
Crescent Elementary Rhinelander 3.3 mi 5.6
Sugar Camp Elementary Rhinelander 11.6 mi 8.8
Three Lakes Elementary Three Lakes 15.2 mi 7.3
Three Lakes High Three Lakes 15.2 mi 6.9
Three Lakes Junior High Three Lakes 15.2 mi 8.2
Elcho Elementary Elcho 15.7 mi 7.9
Elcho High Elcho 15.7 mi 4.6
Elcho Middle Elcho 15.7 mi 6.5
Northwoods Community Elementary Harshaw 14.8 mi 9.0
Northland Pines Elementary-St Germain Saint Germain 20.9 mi 6.0
Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center (NPMLC) Saint Germain 20.9 mi 7.4
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Eagle River 21.0 mi
Northland Pines Elementary-Eagle River Eagle River 22.2 mi 8.6
Northland Pines High Eagle River 22.2 mi 7.3
Northland Pines Middle Eagle River 22.2 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,602

Median Home Value

$194,900

Median Rent

$831/mo

Population

21,096

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

83%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

47.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pelican Elementary has a median household income of $68,602. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $194,900, with a median rent of $831/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Alma Elementary Alma, WI 7.6
Barrie Elementary Fort Atkinson, WI 7.6
Cashton Elementary Cashton, WI 7.6
Dunwiddie Elementary Port Washington, WI 7.6
Kate Goodrich Elementary Merrill, WI 7.6
Lakeview Elementary Neenah, WI 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pelican Elementary

What grades does Pelican Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Pelican Elementary?

Pelican Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 265 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pelican Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Pelican Elementary is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pelican Elementary rank in WI?

Pelican Elementary is ranked #394 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Pelican Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pelican Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Pelican Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pelican Elementary has 38.3% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pelican Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Pelican Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

58.1% of students at Pelican 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
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,828/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Oneida County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rhinelander School District
District Enrollment
2,298
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,786
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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