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Average

#1465 of 2,102 schools in WI

Shell Lake Junior/senior High

High School · Shell Lake School District

271 Highway 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871

Enrollment

317

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shell Lake

#3 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#242 of 499

In district

#3 of 3

Shell Lake School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Shell Lake Junior/senior High

Shell Lake Junior/Senior High is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Shell Lake, Wisconsin. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, with an enrollment of 317 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

Academically, Shell Lake Junior/Senior High has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, placing it at the 35th percentile among Wisconsin schools in terms of state ranking. The school's academic score is 3.7 out of 10, with 51% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 44% proficient or above in Math. While these scores suggest areas for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering a supportive environment that encourages student development.

Shell Lake Junior/Senior High is situated in a quiet rural setting where community ties are strong, providing students with a close-knit educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Shell Lake Junior/senior 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-37.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness3.1Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,667

Shell Lake Junior/senior High — Students at Shell Lake Junior/senior High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.4%
School
State
53.5%
ELA Proficiency 51.4%
School
State
53.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
64.3%
ELA
63.3%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Shell Lake Junior/senior High Compares

See how Shell Lake Junior/senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
30th percentile in WI
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

271 Highway 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shell Lake Junior/senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cumberland High (rated 7.3/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Cumberland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spooner High (rated 4.6/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Spooner), a more accessible option. Additionally, Rice Lake High (rated 4.3/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Rice Lake), a more accessible option. 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 7.5
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) Shell Lake 0.0 mi 9.1
Spooner Middle Spooner 7.0 mi 7.5
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Spooner 7.0 mi 7.1
Spooner Elementary Spooner 7.8 mi 8.3
Spooner High Spooner 8.0 mi 4.6
Haugen Elementary Haugen 11.1 mi 5.8
Cumberland Elementary Cumberland 13.9 mi 7.3
Cumberland High Cumberland 14.6 mi 7.3
Cumberland Middle Cumberland 14.6 mi 6.5
Island City Virtual Academy Cumberland 14.6 mi 4.5
GOSPEL MENNONITE SCHOOL Almena 19.8 mi
Hilltop Day Care and Preschool Rice Lake 18.1 mi
Hilltop Elementary Rice Lake 18.2 mi 7.8
Rice Lake Middle Rice Lake 18.3 mi 7.4
Rice Lake High Rice Lake 18.3 mi 4.3
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 5.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shell Lake Junior/senior High has a median household income of $70,100. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $215,100, with a median rent of $740/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Audubon Technology and Communication High Milwaukee, WI 5.7
Cambridge High Cambridge, WI 5.7
Columbus High Columbus, WI 5.7
Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy Milwaukee, WI 5.7
Little Chute High Little Chute, WI 5.7
Sturgeon Bay High Sturgeon Bay, WI 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shell Lake Junior/senior High

What grades does Shell Lake Junior/senior High serve?

Shell Lake Junior/senior High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Shell Lake Junior/senior High?

Shell Lake Junior/senior High has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shell Lake Junior/senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Shell Lake Junior/senior High is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shell Lake Junior/senior High rank in WI?

Shell Lake Junior/senior High is ranked #1465 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Shell Lake Junior/senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Shell Lake Junior/senior High has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Shell Lake Junior/senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shell Lake Junior/senior High has 44.4% math proficiency and 51.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shell Lake Junior/senior High a charter school?

No, Shell Lake Junior/senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Shell Lake Junior/senior High a Title I school?

No, Shell Lake Junior/senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shell Lake Junior/senior High?

53.0% of students at Shell Lake Junior/senior 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

County Safety
Average (484/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Washburn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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