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
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Washington Island Elementary — Students at Washington Island Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 30% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2021).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (920) 847-2507
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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