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Very Good

#314 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 15% in state

Washburn Elementary

Elementary School · Washburn School District

PO Box 730, Washburn, WI 54891

Enrollment

302

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washburn

#1 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#205 of 1,099

In district

#1 of 3

Washburn School District

Equity

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Washburn Elementary

Washburn Elementary serves 302 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in this charming rural Wisconsin community. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes that many families value. The school performs solidly academically, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #429 out of 2,112 Wisconsin elementary schools.

Students demonstrate consistent performance across core subjects, with 55% achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This academic foundation reflects the school's commitment to supporting students across all grade levels. The surrounding community in ZIP code 54891 shows strong educational values, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a moderate cost of living with median household incomes of $62,443 and median home values around $185,100, while keeping poverty rates relatively low at 12.2%. Washburn Elementary operates in Bayfield County's rural setting, where students benefit from the close-knit community atmosphere that smaller towns provide. The school serves families who appreciate the combination of quality education and the peaceful, outdoor-oriented lifestyle that rural Wisconsin offers.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Washburn Elementary 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 Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,674

Washburn Elementary — Students at Washburn Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.2%
School
State
52.7%
ELA Proficiency 55.5%
School
State
51.4%

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
52%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
60.5%
ELA
58.5%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Washburn Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in WI
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

PO Box 730, Washburn, WI 54891

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Washburn Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Shore Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 23.9 miles away, in nearby Port Wing), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Drummond Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Drummond), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lake Superior Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Ashland), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Washburn, see our Washburn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 29.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Washburn Middle Washburn 0.3 mi 6.7
Washburn High Washburn 0.3 mi 6.8
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ashland 5.9 mi 7.1
Ashland Middle Ashland 6.5 mi 5.2
Ashland High Ashland 7.4 mi 3.3
Lake Superior Elementary Ashland 7.6 mi 7.5
La Pointe Elementary La Pointe 8.9 mi
Bayfield Middle Bayfield 10.2 mi 7.3
Bayfield Elementary Bayfield 10.2 mi 4.0
Bayfield High Bayfield 10.2 mi 5.2
Marengo Valley Elementary Ashland 16.2 mi 5.0
Mellen Public School Mellen 27.0 mi 7.4
South Shore Elementary Port Wing 23.9 mi 8.7
South Shore Jr/Sr High Port Wing 23.9 mi 7.2
Drummond High Drummond 29.1 mi 7.0
Drummond Junior High Drummond 29.1 mi 6.2
Drummond Elementary Drummond 29.1 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54891 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,298

Median Home Value

$200,600

Median Rent

$788/mo

Population

3,327

College Educated

42%

Homeownership

81.4%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

49.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Washburn Elementary has a median household income of $70,298. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,600, with a median rent of $788/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Central Elementary Rhinelander, WI 7.8
EAGLE SCHOOL OF MADISON Madison, WI 7.8
Franklin Elementary Appleton, WI 7.8
Frederic Elementary Frederic, WI 7.8
Harmony Elementary Janesville, WI 7.8
Hilltop Elementary Rice Lake, WI 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Washburn Elementary

What grades does Washburn Elementary serve?

Washburn Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Washburn Elementary?

Washburn Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 302 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Washburn Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Washburn 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 Washburn Elementary rank in WI?

Washburn Elementary is ranked #314 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Washburn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Washburn Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Washburn Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washburn Elementary has 55.2% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Washburn Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Washburn Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

45.0% of students at Washburn 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
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (561/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Bayfield County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washburn School District
District Enrollment
575
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,454
District Rank
#1 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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