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Average

#956 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 45% in state

Washburn Middle

Middle School · Washburn School District

PO Box 730, Washburn, WI 54891

Enrollment

84

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washburn

#3 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#261 of 387

In district

#3 of 3

Washburn School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Washburn Middle

Washburn Middle serves 84 students in grades 7 through 8 in the small community of Washburn, Wisconsin. This public middle school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, supported by 8 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide personalized attention to each student. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #545 out of 2,112 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 74th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to supporting students during these crucial transitional years between elementary and high school. Washburn Middle operates within a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $62,443 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 12.2%, with median home values around $185,100, suggesting a stable community foundation that values education.

The school's small size allows for strong relationships between students, teachers, and families, creating an environment where individual student needs can be readily addressed. Located in rural Bayfield County along Wisconsin's scenic northern region, Washburn Middle provides students with both quality education and the unique advantages of growing up in a tight-knit lakeside community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 84 students, Washburn Middle 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 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 Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-37.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,674

Washburn Middle — Students at Washburn Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
53.5%
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
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
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
56%
ELA
60.4%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Washburn Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
55th percentile in WI
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

PO Box 730, Washburn, WI 54891

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Washburn Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bayfield Middle (rated 7.3/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Bayfield), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Drummond Junior High (rated 6.2/10, 28.9 miles away, in nearby Drummond), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ashland Middle (rated 5.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Ashland), 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 High Washburn 0.0 mi 6.8
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 Middle 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
ST HENRY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Watertown, WI 6.7
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids, WI 6.7
Ithaca Middle Richland Center, WI 6.8
Loyal Middle School Loyal, WI 6.6
Southwestern Wisconsin Community Middle Hazel Green, WI 6.6
Elcho Middle Elcho, WI 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Washburn Middle

What grades does Washburn Middle serve?

Washburn Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Washburn Middle?

Washburn Middle has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Washburn Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Washburn Middle is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Washburn Middle rank in WI?

Washburn Middle is ranked #956 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Washburn Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Washburn Middle has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Washburn Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washburn Middle has 45.3% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Washburn Middle a charter school?

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

Is Washburn Middle a Title I school?

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

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

46.4% of students at Washburn 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

County Safety
Average (561/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.4%
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
#3 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

Related reading

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