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Very Good

#460 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 22% in state

Based on limited data

Shell Lake Primary (k-2)

Elementary School · Shell Lake School District

271 Highway 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on WI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

128

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shell Lake

#2 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#295 of 1,099

In district

#2 of 3

Shell Lake School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Shell Lake Primary (k-2)

Shell Lake Primary (K-2) serves 128 young learners in grades pre-kindergarten through second in the rural community of Shell Lake, Wisconsin. Located at 271 Highway 63 in Washburn County, this elementary school provides an intimate learning environment with just 15 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an impressive 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #485 out of 2112 schools statewide, placing it in the 77th percentile among Wisconsin elementary schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to building foundational academic skills during the pre-K through second grade years, when students develop essential reading, writing, and mathematical concepts. Shell Lake Primary draws families from a community where the median household income is $59,732 and the poverty rate stands at 10.3%. About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values average $196,600.

The school's remote rural setting in Washburn County offers students a close-knit educational experience surrounded by Wisconsin's natural beauty and small-town community values.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 128 students, Shell Lake Primary (k-2) is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Shell Lake Primary (k-2) offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Shell Lake Primary (k-2) 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on WI state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,667

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Shell Lake Primary (k-2) Compares

See how Shell Lake Primary (k-2) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
78th percentile in WI
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

271 Highway 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shell Lake Primary (k-2) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) (rated 9.1/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spooner Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Spooner), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hilltop Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Rice Lake), with a very similar 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 Elementary (3-6) Shell Lake 0.0 mi 9.1
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High Shell Lake 0.0 mi 5.7
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 Primary (k-2) 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
CHRIST CHILD ACADEMY Sheboygan, WI 7.5
MARY QUEEN OF SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY-GREENFIELD West Allis, WI 7.5
ST JOSEPH PARISH SCHOOL Grafton, WI 7.5
ST PATRICKS SCHOOL Sparta, WI 7.5
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Racine, WI 7.5
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Berlin, WI 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shell Lake Primary (k-2)

What grades does Shell Lake Primary (k-2) serve?

Shell Lake Primary (k-2) serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Shell Lake Primary (k-2)?

Shell Lake Primary (k-2) has an enrollment of approximately 128 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shell Lake Primary (k-2)?

The student-teacher ratio at Shell Lake Primary (k-2) is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shell Lake Primary (k-2) rank in WI?

Shell Lake Primary (k-2) is ranked #460 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Shell Lake Primary (k-2)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Shell Lake Primary (k-2) has a composite rating of 7.5 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.

Is Shell Lake Primary (k-2) a charter school?

No, Shell Lake Primary (k-2) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Shell Lake Primary (k-2) a Title I school?

No, Shell Lake Primary (k-2) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shell Lake Primary (k-2)?

57.8% of students at Shell Lake Primary (k-2) 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
County Safety
Average (484/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.8%
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
#2 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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