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Average

#1332 of 2,102 schools in WI

Phelps Elementary

Elementary School · Phelps School District

4451 Old School Rd, Phelps, WI 54554

Enrollment

67

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin elementary schools

#772 of 1,099

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Phelps Elementary

Phelps Elementary serves 67 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade in the small community of Phelps, Wisconsin. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1 with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close teacher-student relationships. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #418 out of 2,112 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its rural student population. MySchoolScout rates Phelps Elementary 7.1 out of 10, indicating solid overall performance. Students at Phelps Elementary come from a community where the median household income is $54,750 and the poverty rate is relatively low at 5.9%.

The area has a median home value of $213,000, and about 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This small school serves families who value the intimate educational environment that comes with a close-knit rural setting. Phelps Elementary is situated in Vilas County's remote rural landscape, providing students with a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while fostering strong community connections in this tight-knit northern Wisconsin community of just over 1,100 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 67 students, Phelps 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, Phelps 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, Phelps 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 Progress3.2Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Math vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,521

Phelps Elementary — Students at Phelps Elementary score 40% 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

56.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.9%
School
State
52.6%
ELA Proficiency 32.9%
School
State
52.1%

Based on 8 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2025
Math
31.3%
ELA
31.3%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Phelps Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
37th percentile in WI
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

4451 Old School Rd, Phelps, WI 54554

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Phelps Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sugar Camp Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Rhinelander), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northland Pines Elementary-Eagle River (rated 8.6/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Eagle River), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stambaugh Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Iron River), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phelps, see our Phelps schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 34.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Phelps High Phelps 0.0 mi
School of Options and Applied Research Middle Land O' Lakes 9.3 mi 6.5
Northland Pines Elementary-Land O' Lakes Land O' Lakes 9.3 mi 6.9
Northland Pines Elementary-Eagle River Eagle River 11.8 mi 8.6
Northland Pines High Eagle River 11.8 mi 7.3
Northland Pines Middle Eagle River 11.8 mi 6.9
School of Options and Applied Research High Eagle River 11.8 mi 5.5
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Eagle River 12.6 mi
Watersmeet Township School Watersmeet 14.9 mi 8.2
Three Lakes Elementary Three Lakes 18.9 mi 7.3
Three Lakes High Three Lakes 18.9 mi 6.9
Three Lakes Junior High Three Lakes 18.9 mi 8.2
Sugar Camp Elementary Rhinelander 21.9 mi 8.8
Northland Pines Elementary-St Germain Saint Germain 22.1 mi 6.0
Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center (NPMLC) Saint Germain 22.1 mi 7.4
West Iron County Middle High School Iron River 21.8 mi 6.9
Stambaugh Elementary School Iron River 21.8 mi 8.4
Crandon Elementary Crandon 34.7 mi 4.7
Crandon High Crandon 34.7 mi 4.2
Crandon Middle Crandon 34.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,478

Median Home Value

$222,600

Median Rent

$730/mo

Population

1,099

College Educated

17.2%

Homeownership

85.7%

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

58.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Phelps Elementary has a median household income of $58,478. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,600, with a median rent of $730/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DELAVAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Delavan, WI 6.0
KENOSHA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kenosha, WI 6.0
Northland Pines Elementary-St Germain Saint Germain, WI 6.0
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Berlin, WI 6.0
ST JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Juneau, WI 6.0
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Menomonie, WI 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Phelps Elementary

What grades does Phelps Elementary serve?

Phelps Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Phelps Elementary?

Phelps Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 67 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Phelps Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Phelps Elementary is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Phelps Elementary rank in WI?

Phelps Elementary is ranked #1332 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Phelps Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Phelps Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Phelps Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Phelps Elementary has 37.9% math proficiency and 32.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Phelps Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Phelps Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

56.7% of students at Phelps 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

County Safety
Average (312/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
67
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Vilas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Phelps School District
District Enrollment
92
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$34,647
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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