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#1110 of 2,102 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

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portage

#2 of 6

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#296 of 387

In district

#3 of 7

Portage Community School District

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Wayne Bartels Middle

Wayne Bartels Middle is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Portage, Wisconsin. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 409 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, Wayne Bartels Middle offers individualized attention to help each student succeed.

The academic performance at Wayne Bartels Middle shows room for growth, with the MySchoolScout Rating standing at 4.8 out of 10 and ranking as the 1333rd school in Wisconsin based on state standards. In terms of proficiency rates, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% meet or exceed proficiency levels in Math. Despite these current metrics, Wayne Bartels Middle focuses on student development and provides a supportive environment for its young scholars to thrive.

The school is situated in a rural setting with close proximity to Portage, offering students a blend of small-town charm and access to local amenities. Wayne Bartels Middle stands out as an important educational cornerstone in this part of Columbia County, fostering growth and learning among its middle-grade students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Wayne Bartels Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Wayne Bartels 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 Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Math vs. State Avg-26.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-28.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,926

Wayne Bartels Middle — Students at Wayne Bartels Middle score 30% 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

0.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.4%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 40.2%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 10 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
33%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
34%
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: 8.3/10.

How Wayne Bartels Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
47th percentile in WI
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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 7.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Poynette), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pardeeville Middle (rated 4.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Pardeeville), a more accessible option. 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 5.3
Woodridge Elementary Portage 0.2 mi 6.5
Muir Elementary Portage 0.2 mi 5.3
Portage High Portage 0.3 mi 4.0
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 4.5
Endeavor Elementary Endeavor 10.4 mi 8.0
Poynette Elementary Poynette 11.5 mi 8.1
Pardeeville Elementary Pardeeville 8.8 mi 6.0
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pardeeville 8.8 mi 6.6
Pardeeville High Pardeeville 8.9 mi 7.3
Pardeeville Middle Pardeeville 8.9 mi 4.2
Poynette Middle Poynette 12.2 mi 7.7
Poynette High Poynette 12.3 mi 7.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wayne Bartels Middle has a median household income of $72,244. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,300, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Cudahy Middle Cudahy, WI 6.4
Farnsworth Middle Sheboygan, WI 6.4
Glen Hills Middle Glendale, WI 6.4
River Bluff Middle Stoughton, WI 6.4
Sheboygan Falls Middle Sheboygan Falls, WI 6.4
Viking Middle Woodville, WI 6.4

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 is ranked #1110 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Wayne Bartels Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Wayne Bartels Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Wayne Bartels Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wayne Bartels Middle has 41.4% math proficiency and 40.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,095/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portage). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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