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Average

#894 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 43% in state

Washburn High

High School · Washburn School District

PO Box 730, Washburn, WI 54891

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washburn

#2 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#103 of 499

In district

#2 of 3

Washburn School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Washburn High

Washburn High serves 189 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Washburn, Wisconsin. This public high school maintains a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio with 14 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 78th percentile among Wisconsin's high schools at #469 out of 2,112 schools statewide.

Academically, Washburn High shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 40% of students perform at proficient or above levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for academic growth, with 25% of students achieving proficiency. Students come from a community where 41% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a value for education in the area.

The neighborhood maintains a median household income of $62,443 and median home values around $185,100, with a modest 12.2% poverty rate. Located in Bayfield County along Wisconsin's scenic northern region, Washburn High sits in a tight-knit rural community of approximately 3,300 residents, offering students the benefits of small-town education where teachers and staff can develop meaningful relationships with each student.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 189 students, Washburn High 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.

Located in a rural area, Washburn 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 Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+7.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,674

Washburn High — Students at Washburn High score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
15%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Washburn High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in WI
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

PO Box 730, Washburn, WI 54891

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Washburn High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Shore Jr/Sr High (rated 7.2/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Port Wing), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Drummond High (rated 7.0/10, 28.9 miles away, in nearby Drummond), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bayfield High (rated 5.2/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Bayfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in Washburn, see our Washburn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 24.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Washburn Middle Washburn 0.0 mi 6.7
Washburn Elementary Washburn 0.3 mi 7.8
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ashland 5.6 mi 7.1
Ashland Middle Ashland 6.2 mi 5.2
Ashland High Ashland 7.1 mi 3.3
Lake Superior Elementary Ashland 7.3 mi 7.5
La Pointe Elementary La Pointe 9.1 mi
Bayfield Middle Bayfield 10.4 mi 7.3
Bayfield Elementary Bayfield 10.4 mi 4.0
Bayfield High Bayfield 10.4 mi 5.2
Marengo Valley Elementary Ashland 15.9 mi 5.0
Mellen Public School Mellen 26.7 mi 7.4
Drummond High Drummond 28.9 mi 7.0
Drummond Junior High Drummond 28.9 mi 6.2
Drummond Elementary Drummond 28.9 mi 8.6
South Shore Elementary Port Wing 24.0 mi 8.7
South Shore Jr/Sr High Port Wing 24.0 mi 7.2

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 High 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
Cadott High Cadott, WI 6.8
MANITOWOC LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Manitowoc, WI 6.8
ST AMBROSE ACADEMY Madison, WI 6.8
Belmont High Belmont, WI 6.9
Capital High Madison, WI 6.9
High School of Health Sciences Wales, WI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Washburn High

What grades does Washburn High serve?

Washburn High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Washburn High?

Washburn High has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Washburn High?

The student-teacher ratio at Washburn High is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Washburn High rank in WI?

Washburn High is ranked #894 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Washburn High's MySchoolScout rating?

Washburn High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washburn High has 24.8% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Washburn High a charter school?

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

Is Washburn High a Title I school?

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

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

42.3% of students at Washburn 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 (561/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
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
#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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