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Very Good

#492 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 23% in state

Rio Elementary

Elementary School · Rio Community School District

355 Lowville Rd, Rio, WI 53960

Enrollment

170

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#492 of 2,105

In Rio

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Rio Community School District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Rio Elementary

7.9/10

Elementary School in Rio · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rio Middle/high

7.4/10

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

St John's Lutheran School

6.6/10

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

About Rio Elementary

Rio Elementary is a public elementary school in Rio, WI, part of Rio Community School District. Rio Elementary serves approximately 170 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Rio Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #492 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Rio Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

What's said publicly about Rio Elementary

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Rio Elementary is part of the Rio Community School District, located at 411 Church Street in Rio, WI 53960 1 . The district's superintendent is Dr. Michael Lichucki 1 . The school district's mascot is the Vikings 1 . The district's mission is to educate, empower, and enable students to become caring, contributing citizens who succeed in an ever-changing world 1 . Stakeholders are committed to high expectations, individual academic success, and creating a community of respect and responsibility 1 . The vision statement aims to cultivate a dynamic learning environment that fosters academic excellence and equips students with real-world skills to thrive as responsible global citizens 1 . The district has a strategic plan covering the years 2025-2030 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.rio.k12.wi.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares1.1 pts above WI schools
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

At 170 students, Rio Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Rio Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.6% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-3.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,675
Chronic Absenteeism10.6%

Rio Elementary — Students at Rio Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 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
77%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
35.9%
ELA
49.4%
2025
Math
51.1%
ELA
58.6%

* 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 Rio Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
77th percentile in WI
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.6%

Location

355 Lowville Rd, Rio, WI 53960

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rio Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fall River Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Fall River), which scores notably higher. Another option is Poynette Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Poynette), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cambria Friesland Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Cambria), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rio, see our Rio schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Rio Middle/High Rio 0.6 mi 7.4
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pardeeville 6.5 mi 6.6
Pardeeville High Pardeeville 6.5 mi 6.4
Pardeeville Middle Pardeeville 6.5 mi 5.2
Pardeeville Elementary Pardeeville 6.6 mi 6.9
HILLSIDE AMISH SCHOOL Cambria 7.9 mi 2.6
MEADOW VIEW AMISH SCHOOL Pardeeville 9.9 mi 2.2
MEADOW VIEW SCHOOL Pardeeville 9.9 mi 2.2
Poynette High Poynette 8.5 mi 6.4
Poynette Middle Poynette 8.5 mi 8.7
Poynette Elementary Poynette 8.7 mi 9.0
Cambria Friesland Middle/High Cambria 9.8 mi 5.9
Cambria Friesland Elementary Cambria 9.8 mi 8.3
NORTH SCOTT AMISH SCHOOL Dalton 12.3 mi
LOG CABIN SCHOOL Pardeeville 13.7 mi 2.3
PLEASANT RIDGE AMISH SCHOOL Cambria 12.8 mi 2.6
Fall River Elementary Fall River 10.9 mi 9.2
Fall River High Fall River 10.9 mi 6.2
WISCONSIN ACADEMY Columbus 11.3 mi 8.6
PETERSEN ADVENTIST SCHOOL Columbus 11.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53960 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,143

Median Home Value

$247,200

Median Rent

$889/mo

Population

3,235

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

80.3%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

44

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grant Elementary Wausau, WI 7.9
Kickapoo Elementary Viola, WI 7.9
Marquette Elementary Madison, WI 7.9
New Century School Verona, WI 7.9
Prairie Farm Elementary Prairie Farm, WI 7.9
ST ALPHONSUS SCHOOL Greendale, WI 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rio Elementary

What grades does Rio Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Rio Elementary?

Rio Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 170 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rio Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rio Elementary is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rio Elementary rank in WI?

Rio Elementary ranks #492 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Rio Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rio Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Rio Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rio Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Rio Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Rio Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

37.6% of students at Rio 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Columbia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.6%

District

Rio Community School District
District Enrollment
357
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,675
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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