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Very Good

#509 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 24% in state

Pembine High

High School · Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine School District

PO Box 247, Pembine, WI 54156

Enrollment

88

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pembine

#1 of 2

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#50 of 499

In district

#1 of 2

Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pembine High

Pembine High serves grades 7 through 12 in the small rural community of Pembine, Wisconsin, with just 88 students creating an intimate educational environment. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.0:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-faculty relationships. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #415 out of 2,112 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This strong performance reflects the benefits of small-school education where teachers can focus on individual student needs and academic growth. Pembine High draws from a close-knit rural community in Marinette County where the median household income is $46,250 and median home values average $121,100. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 1,467 residents, with 14% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.5%.

For families seeking a small-school experience where students receive individual attention and develop strong connections with teachers and peers, Pembine High offers the advantages of rural education. The school sits in Wisconsin's beautiful Northwoods region, providing students with a peaceful, nature-rich setting for their educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 88 students, Pembine High 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.

While current test scores at Pembine High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Pembine High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Math vs. State Avg-49.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,589

Pembine High — Students at Pembine High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
53.5%
ELA Proficiency 45.4%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 8 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
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2025
Math
44.8%
ELA
61.3%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Pembine High Compares

See how Pembine High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
76th percentile in WI
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO Box 247, Pembine, WI 54156

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pembine High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHLAND SCHOLARS ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Dunbar), with a comparable rating. Another option is Niagara High (rated 6.6/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Niagara), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Norway High School (rated 5.8/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Norway), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pembine, see our Pembine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Pembine Elementary Pembine 0.0 mi 5.7
NORTHLAND SCHOLARS ACADEMY Dunbar 5.9 mi 6.7
Niagara Elementary Niagara 10.1 mi 8.0
Niagara High Niagara 10.1 mi 6.6
Norway Elementary School Norway 11.1 mi 9.0
Vulcan Middle School Norway 11.1 mi 5.9
Norway High School Norway 11.1 mi 5.8
Kingsford High School Kingsford 12.2 mi 5.4
Kingsford Middle School Kingsford 12.3 mi 6.7
IMK Community Education Iron Mountain 12.7 mi 5.4
DickinsonIron Special Education Kingsford 12.5 mi 9.1
VICTORY ACADEMY FOR BOYS Amberg 10.8 mi
Central Middle School Iron Mountain 13.1 mi 3.5
Iron Mountain High School Iron Mountain 13.1 mi 4.4
East Elementary School Iron Mountain 13.1 mi 7.9
BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Iron Mountain 13.1 mi 7.9
North Elementary School Iron Mountain 13.4 mi 8.6
Woodland Elementary School Kingsford 12.8 mi 8.9
PINE MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iron Mountain 15.7 mi
Wausaukee Elementary Wausaukee 17.1 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54156 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,722

Median Home Value

$123,600

Median Rent

$782/mo

Population

1,514

College Educated

17.2%

Homeownership

86.1%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

55.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pembine High has a median household income of $49,722. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,600, with a median rent of $782/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF MILWAUKEE Menomonee Falls, WI 7.5
Groppi High Milwaukee, WI 7.5
Highland Community High Highland, WI 7.3
Monona Grove Liberal Arts Monona, WI 7.3
South Shore Jr/Sr High Port Wing, WI 7.2
Athens High Athens, WI 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pembine High

What grades does Pembine High serve?

Pembine High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Pembine High?

Pembine High has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pembine High?

The student-teacher ratio at Pembine High is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pembine High rank in WI?

Pembine High is ranked #509 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Pembine High's MySchoolScout rating?

Pembine High has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Pembine High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pembine High has 29.8% math proficiency and 45.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pembine High a charter school?

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

Is Pembine High a Title I school?

No, Pembine High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pembine High?

52.3% of students at Pembine High 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (341/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Marinette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine School District
District Enrollment
247
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,004
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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