Summary:
The city of Bowler, Wisconsin is home to a single high school, Bowler High, which serves students in grades 9-12. The school's performance on standardized tests, such as the Forward Exam and ACT, is consistently below the state average across multiple subject areas and grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of Bowler High students proficient or better in English Language Arts ranged from 26.92% (7th grade) to 54.55% (8th grade), compared to the state averages of 53.59% and 53.97%, respectively.
Despite having a relatively high four-year graduation rate of 91.0% for the 2023-2024 school year and a low dropout rate of 1.3%, Bowler High's overall statewide ranking ranges from 292nd out of 415 schools in 2022-2023 to 360th out of 431 schools in 2024-2025. The school serves a population with significant socioeconomic challenges, as evidenced by the high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (61.03% in 2023-2024). Additionally, Bowler High has a relatively small student population of 136 students and a low student-to-teacher ratio of 7.5, which does not seem to be translating into higher academic achievement.
While Bowler High spends more per student ($18,312 in the 2020-2021 school year) compared to the state average, this higher funding does not appear to be driving improved academic outcomes. To address the school's underperformance, the Bowler School District may need to focus on targeted interventions, professional development for teachers, and addressing the unique needs of the student population.
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