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Below Average

#1816 of 2,105 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

4.5

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,816 of 2,105

In Portage

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

Portage Community School District

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Portage High

4.5/10

High School in Portage · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Muir Elementary

6.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Woodridge Elementary

5.7/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Portage High

Portage High is a public high school in Portage, WI, part of Portage Community School District. Portage High serves approximately 647 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Portage High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,816 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Portage High show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.0 pts below WI schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Portage High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

34% of students at Portage High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-44.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness6.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation12.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,940
Chronic Absenteeism34%

Portage High — Students at Portage High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 41.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
69%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Portage High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
14th percentile in WI
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
1%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
12.7% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·49 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.4/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Pardeeville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Poynette High (rated 6.4/10, 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 6.5
Woodridge Elementary Portage 0.3 mi 5.7
Portage Partnering Preschool Portage 0.3 mi 3.3
Portage Academy of Achievement Portage 0.3 mi
Wayne Bartels Middle Portage 0.3 mi 5.1
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 6.0
Endeavor Elementary Endeavor 10.2 mi 8.2
Pardeeville Elementary Pardeeville 8.7 mi 6.9
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pardeeville 8.7 mi 6.6
Pardeeville High Pardeeville 8.8 mi 6.4
Pardeeville Middle Pardeeville 8.8 mi 5.2
Poynette Elementary Poynette 11.8 mi 9.0
Poynette Middle Poynette 12.4 mi 8.7
Poynette High Poynette 12.5 mi 6.4
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clintonville High Clintonville, WI 4.5
Marinette High Marinette, WI 4.5
Medford High Medford, WI 4.5
Rice Lake High Rice Lake, WI 4.5
South Division High Milwaukee, WI 4.5
Adams-Friendship High Adams, WI 4.4

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 ranks #1,816 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Portage High's MySchoolScout rating?

Portage High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Portage High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Portage High has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.0%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Portage Community School District
District Enrollment
2,058
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,940
District Rank
#6 of 7

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