Below Average
#2001 of 2,102 schools in WI
Portage High
High School · Portage Community School District
301 E Collins St, Portage, WI 53901
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portage
#6 of 6
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#448 of 499
In district
#7 of 7
Portage Community School District
About Portage High
Portage High is a regular public school located in Portage, Wisconsin, serving students from sixth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 647 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 48 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. Situated in a rural area near the town, Portage High offers a unique blend of small-town charm and educational opportunities.
The academic performance at Portage High shows room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #1886 out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin (placing it in the 11th percentile). The school's proficiency rates stand at 40% for ELA/Reading and 30% for Math, suggesting areas where additional support could be beneficial. Portage High is well-rooted in its community, providing a nurturing setting that focuses on student development and growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Portage High 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
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Portage High — Students at Portage High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.5/10.
How Portage High Compares
See how Portage High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
301 E Collins St, Portage, WI 53901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portage High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pardeeville High (rated 7.3/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Pardeeville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Poynette High (rated 7.2/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Poynette), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Muir Elementary Portage | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Woodridge Elementary Portage | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Portage Partnering Preschool Portage | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Portage Academy of Achievement Portage | 0.3 mi | — |
| Wayne Bartels Middle Portage | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Portage | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Columbia Correctional Institution Portage | 1.4 mi | — |
| Lewiston Elementary Portage | 5.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Endeavor Elementary Endeavor | 10.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Pardeeville Elementary Pardeeville | 8.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pardeeville | 8.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Pardeeville High Pardeeville | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Pardeeville Middle Pardeeville | 8.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Poynette Elementary Poynette | 11.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Poynette Middle Poynette | 12.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Poynette High Poynette | 12.5 mi | 7.2 |
| LOG CABIN SCHOOL Pardeeville | 11.0 mi | 2.3 |
| MEADOW VIEW AMISH SCHOOL Pardeeville | 10.6 mi | 2.2 |
| MEADOW VIEW SCHOOL Pardeeville | 10.6 mi | 2.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,244
Median Home Value
$214,300
Median Rent
$969/mo
Population
14,654
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Portage High has a median household income of $72,244. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,300, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Horace Mann High North Fond Du Lac, WI | 4.0 |
| Northwestern High Maple, WI | 4.0 |
| Tomah High Tomah, WI | 4.0 |
| Cudahy High Cudahy, WI | 4.1 |
| Adams-Friendship High Adams, WI | 3.9 |
| Medford High Medford, WI | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portage High
What grades does Portage High serve?
Portage High serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Portage High?
Portage High has an enrollment of approximately 647 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portage High?
The student-teacher ratio at Portage High is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portage High rank in WI?
Portage High is ranked #2001 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Portage High's MySchoolScout rating?
Portage High has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Portage High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portage High has 29.5% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portage High a charter school?
No, Portage High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portage High a Title I school?
No, Portage High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portage High?
0.5% of students at Portage 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,095/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portage). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 647
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 0.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Columbia County
- Phone
- (608) 742-8545
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portage Community School District- District Enrollment
- 2,058
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,940
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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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