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Excellent

#158 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 8% in state

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)

Elementary School · Shell Lake School District

271 Highway 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871

Enrollment

173

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

8.7

Grades

3rd – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#158 of 2,105

In Shell Lake

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Shell Lake School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)

8.7/10

Elementary School in Shell Lake · grades 3rd – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shell Lake Primary (k-2)

7.8/10

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

Shell Lake Junior/senior High

6.7/10

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

About Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) is a public elementary school in Shell Lake, WI, part of Shell Lake School District. Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) serves approximately 173 students, and covers grades 3rd-6th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #158 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.3
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

At 173 students, Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) 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.

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) 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 Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+23.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,371
Chronic Absenteeism13.3%

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) — Students at Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 48.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.4% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 36 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
82%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
36%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
46.8%
ELA
36.6%
2025
Math
71.9%
ELA
63.1%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) Compares

See how Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
93th percentile in WI
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

Programs & Offerings

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

271 Highway 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hilltop Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Rice Lake), with a comparable rating. Another option is Spooner Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Spooner), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Haugen Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Haugen), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Shell Lake, see our Shell Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Shell Lake Primary (K-2) Shell Lake 0.0 mi 7.8
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High Shell Lake 0.0 mi 6.7
Spooner Middle Spooner 7.0 mi 7.4
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Spooner 7.0 mi 7.1
Spooner Elementary Spooner 7.8 mi 8.0
Spooner High Spooner 8.0 mi 4.2
Haugen Elementary Haugen 11.1 mi 8.0
Cumberland Elementary Cumberland 13.9 mi 7.1
Cumberland High Cumberland 14.6 mi 5.9
Cumberland Middle Cumberland 14.6 mi 6.8
Island City Virtual Academy Cumberland 14.6 mi 3.6
GOSPEL MENNONITE SCHOOL Almena 19.8 mi
Hilltop Day Care and Preschool Rice Lake 18.1 mi
Hilltop Elementary Rice Lake 18.2 mi 8.2
Rice Lake Middle Rice Lake 18.3 mi 7.8
Rice Lake High Rice Lake 18.3 mi 4.5
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Rice Lake 18.3 mi 6.8
REDEEMER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rice Lake 19.7 mi
BARRON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Barron 22.2 mi
Tainter Elementary Rice Lake 20.1 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54871 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,100

Median Home Value

$215,100

Median Rent

$740/mo

Population

3,323

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

44.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
New Leaf Prep Academy Green Bay, WI 8.7
South Mountain Elementary Wausau, WI 8.7
Three Lakes Elementary Three Lakes, WI 8.7
Alma Elementary Alma, WI 8.6
Flynn Elementary Eau Claire, WI 8.6
Murray Park Elementary Ripon, WI 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)

What grades does Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) serve?

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.

How many students attend Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)?

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)?

The student-teacher ratio at Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) rank in WI?

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) ranks #158 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) a charter school?

No, Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) a Title I school?

No, Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)?

48.0% of students at Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Washburn County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

District

Shell Lake School District
District Enrollment
618
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,371
District Rank
#1 of 3

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