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Very Good

#518 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 25% in state

Washington Island Elementary

Elementary School · Washington Island School District

888 Main Rd, Washington Island, WI 54246

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

5.3:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin elementary schools

#324 of 1,099

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Washington Island Elementary

Washington Island Elementary serves just 37 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Wisconsin's remote Door County archipelago. This small public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where every student receives personalized attention. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #546 out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide.

This strong performance reflects the school's ability to serve its small student body effectively despite the challenges that come with operating in such a remote location. The surrounding community of 864 residents demonstrates a commitment to education, with 46% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains economic stability with a median household income of $61,875 and a low poverty rate of 8.4%.

Median home values of $257,200 reflect the desirable nature of this island community. Washington Island Elementary operates in one of Wisconsin's most unique settings, situated on a remote island accessible only by ferry, creating a tight-knit educational community where students benefit from both small class sizes and the distinctive character of island life.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 37 students, Washington Island Elementary 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 5.3:1, Washington Island Elementary 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, Washington Island 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 Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Math vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,434

Washington Island Elementary — Students at Washington Island Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
51.9%
ELA Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
51.6%

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
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%
2025
Math
58.3%
ELA
66.7%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Washington Island Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
75th percentile in WI
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Location

888 Main Rd, Washington Island, WI 54246

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Washington Island Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gibraltar Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Fish Creek), which scores notably higher. Another option is Escanaba Upper Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 27.5 miles away, in nearby Escanaba), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lemmer Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Escanaba), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington Island, see our Washington Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 31.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington Island High Washington Island 0.0 mi
Gibraltar High Fish Creek 21.9 mi 9.1
Gibraltar Middle Fish Creek 21.9 mi 9.0
Gibraltar Elementary Fish Creek 21.9 mi 9.6
Lemmer Elementary School Escanaba 27.0 mi 7.8
HOLY NAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Escanaba 27.3 mi 7.6
Escanaba JuniorSenior High School Escanaba 27.3 mi 3.5
Escanaba Upper Elementary Escanaba 27.5 mi 8.4
Escanaba Student Success Center Escanaba 27.4 mi 6.3
Webster Kindergarten Center Escanaba 28.6 mi 7.0
Bay Pines Center Escanaba 29.8 mi
Learning Center Escanaba 31.3 mi 9.0
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Egg Harbor 29.8 mi 4.7
James T Jones Elementary School Gladstone 33.6 mi 6.8
Gladstone Area Middle School Gladstone 33.6 mi 6.2
WILSON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST JUNIOR ACADEMY Wilson 27.7 mi 6.2
Cameron Elementary School Gladstone 34.7 mi 6.5
Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy Wilson 28.8 mi 8.3
Hannahville Indian School Wilson 28.8 mi
Bark RiverHarris JrSr High School Harris 31.0 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54246 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,542

Median Home Value

$277,100

Median Rent

$664/mo

Population

784

College Educated

43.1%

Homeownership

87%

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

62.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Washington Island Elementary has a median household income of $73,542. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,100, with a median rent of $664/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cashton, WI 7.4
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI De Pere, WI 7.5
Goodman-Armstrong Elementary Goodman, WI 7.6
Gilmanton Elementary Gilmanton, WI 7.2
LEARNING DEPOT INC Whitewater, WI 7.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oshkosh, WI 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Washington Island Elementary

What grades does Washington Island Elementary serve?

Washington Island Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Washington Island Elementary?

Washington Island Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington Island Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Washington Island Elementary is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Washington Island Elementary rank in WI?

Washington Island Elementary is ranked #518 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Washington Island Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Washington Island Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Washington Island Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washington Island Elementary has 50.3% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Washington Island Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Washington Island Elementary a Title I school?

No, Washington Island Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (271/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Door County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington Island School District
District Enrollment
56
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,790
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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