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Average

#1594 of 2,105 schools in WI

Wayne Bartels Middle

Middle School · Portage Community School District

2505 New Pinery Rd, Portage, WI 53901

Enrollment

409

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,594 of 2,105

In Portage

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

Portage Community School District

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Wayne Bartels Middle

5.1/10

Middle School in Portage · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Portage Academy of Achievement

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Portage Partnering Preschool

3.3/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wayne Bartels Middle

Wayne Bartels Middle is a public middle school in Portage, WI, part of Portage Community School District. Wayne Bartels Middle serves approximately 409 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Wayne Bartels Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,594 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Wayne Bartels Middle show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts below WI schools
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Wayne Bartels Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.4% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.4% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-24.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,940
Chronic Absenteeism24%

Wayne Bartels Middle — Students at Wayne Bartels Middle score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 42.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
31%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
30%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
31%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
37.2%
ELA
30.7%
2025
Math
49.4%
ELA
45.4%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Wayne Bartels Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in WI
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
1%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2505 New Pinery Rd, Portage, WI 53901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wayne Bartels Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Poynette Middle (rated 8.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Poynette), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pardeeville Middle (rated 5.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Pardeeville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LOG CABIN SCHOOL (rated 2.3/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Pardeeville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Portage Academy of Achievement Portage 0.0 mi
Portage Partnering Preschool Portage 0.2 mi 3.3
Woodridge Elementary Portage 0.2 mi 5.7
Muir Elementary Portage 0.2 mi 6.5
Portage High Portage 0.3 mi 4.5
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage 1.1 mi 5.3
ST MARY SCHOOL Portage 1.4 mi 7.3
Columbia Correctional Institution Portage 1.3 mi
Lewiston Elementary Portage 5.2 mi 6.0
Endeavor Elementary Endeavor 10.4 mi 8.2
Poynette Elementary Poynette 11.5 mi 9.0
Pardeeville Elementary Pardeeville 8.8 mi 6.9
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pardeeville 8.8 mi 6.6
Pardeeville High Pardeeville 8.9 mi 6.4
Pardeeville Middle Pardeeville 8.9 mi 5.2
Poynette Middle Poynette 12.2 mi 8.7
Poynette High Poynette 12.3 mi 6.4
LOG CABIN SCHOOL Pardeeville 11.3 mi 2.3
MEADOW VIEW AMISH SCHOOL Pardeeville 10.8 mi 2.2
MEADOW VIEW SCHOOL Pardeeville 10.8 mi 2.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,244

Median Home Value

$214,300

Median Rent

$969/mo

Population

14,654

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

68%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aldrich Intermediate Beloit, WI 5.1
Sherman Middle Madison, WI 5.1
Starbuck - An IB World School Racine, WI 5.0
Washington Middle Manitowoc, WI 5.0
Wilson Middle Appleton, WI 5.0
Horning Middle Waukesha, WI 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wayne Bartels Middle

What grades does Wayne Bartels Middle serve?

Wayne Bartels Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Wayne Bartels Middle?

Wayne Bartels Middle has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wayne Bartels Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Wayne Bartels Middle is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wayne Bartels Middle rank in WI?

Wayne Bartels Middle ranks #1,594 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Wayne Bartels Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Wayne Bartels Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Wayne Bartels Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wayne Bartels Middle has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Wayne Bartels Middle a charter school?

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

Is Wayne Bartels Middle a Title I school?

No, Wayne Bartels Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

0.7% of students at Wayne Bartels 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

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
0.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Columbia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.0%

District

Portage Community School District
District Enrollment
2,058
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,940
District Rank
#5 of 7

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