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Very Good

#594 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 28% in state

Unity Middle

Middle School · Unity School District

1908 150th St Hwy 46 N, Balsam Lake, WI 54810

Enrollment

258

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

7.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Balsam Lake

#2 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#168 of 387

In district

#2 of 3

Unity School District

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Unity Middle

Unity Middle, located in the remote rural area of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, serves students in grades five through eight. With an enrollment of 258 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, Unity Middle provides a supportive educational environment. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth among its middle schoolers.

Unity Middle ranks at the 49th percentile in Wisconsin, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.4 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 4.5 out of 10. In ELA/Reading, 43% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 44% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development.

Unity Middle is situated in a quiet rural setting surrounded by natural beauty and small-town charm. The close-knit community offers a unique backdrop for learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Unity Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Math vs. State Avg-26.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,880

Unity Middle — Students at Unity Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
52.7%
ELA Proficiency 42.7%
School
State
52.3%

Based on 12 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
30%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
35%
2025
Math
51.8%
ELA
46%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Unity Middle Compares

See how Unity Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in WI
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

1908 150th St Hwy 46 N, Balsam Lake, WI 54810

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Unity Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Amery Middle (rated 8.6/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Amery), which scores notably higher. Another option is Osceola Middle (rated 8.6/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Osceola), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Luck Middle (rated 7.9/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Luck), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Balsam Lake, see our Balsam Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Unity Elementary Balsam Lake 0.0 mi 7.6
Unity High Balsam Lake 0.0 mi 6.0
Luck Elementary Luck 5.8 mi 7.6
Luck High Luck 5.8 mi 5.7
Luck Middle Luck 5.8 mi 7.9
Frederic Elementary Frederic 12.3 mi 7.8
Saint Croix Falls Elementary Saint Croix Falls 9.7 mi 7.8
Saint Croix Falls High Saint Croix Falls 9.8 mi 5.0
Saint Croix Falls Middle Saint Croix Falls 9.8 mi 7.7
Frederic 6-12 School Frederic 12.9 mi 6.0
TAYLORS FALLS ELEMENTARY Chisago City 10.7 mi 5.1
Dresser Elementary Saint Croix Falls 12.0 mi 4.2
Lien Elementary Amery 13.7 mi 9.4
Amery High Amery 13.8 mi 5.1
Amery Middle Amery 13.8 mi 8.6
Amery Intermediate Amery 13.9 mi 7.9
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Osceola 13.8 mi 7.7
Osceola Intermediate Osceola 14.9 mi 7.0
Osceola High Osceola 15.0 mi 6.8
Osceola Middle Osceola 15.2 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54810 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,842

Median Home Value

$258,000

Median Rent

$1,047/mo

Population

2,911

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

33.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

46.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Unity Middle has a median household income of $66,842. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,000, with a median rent of $1,047/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Brodhead Middle Brodhead, WI 7.2
Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Middle Chetek, WI 7.2
Lomira Middle Lomira, WI 7.2
Stratford Middle Stratford, WI 7.2
Alexander Middle Nekoosa, WI 7.3
Bluff View Middle Prairie Du Chien, WI 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Unity Middle

What grades does Unity Middle serve?

Unity Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Unity Middle?

Unity Middle has an enrollment of approximately 258 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Unity Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Unity Middle is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Unity Middle rank in WI?

Unity Middle is ranked #594 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Unity Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Unity Middle has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Unity Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Unity Middle has 43.7% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Unity Middle a charter school?

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

Is Unity Middle a Title I school?

No, Unity Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Unity Middle?

51.2% of students at Unity Middle 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (342/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Unity School District
District Enrollment
942
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,863
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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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