Cornell School District

Cornell School District in Wisconsin serves 392 students across three schools — Cornell Elementary (PK–5, 209 students), Cornell High (9–12, 100 students), and Cornell Middle (6–8, 83 students) — and has no alternative school. The district overall ranks 172 of 432, at the 60th percentile with 3 stars, but that single figure masks a very wide spread among the three schools.

Cornell Elementary is the clear standout, earning 5 stars and a 97th-percentile rank in both 2024–25 and 2025–26, with 4th grade math and social studies at 100% proficient and 4th grade science at 96.15%, all far above state averages. It also reports 0.0% chronic absenteeism, the district's lowest student-teacher ratio (13.3) and lowest spending per student ($13,867). Cornell High improved from 2 stars/33rd percentile to 3 stars/54th percentile, with a 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate, though ACT math lags at 31.82% versus 42.93% state. Cornell Middle ranks lowest (37th percentile, 2 stars) but has improved, with bright spots in 6th and 7th grade ELA and 7th grade math.

Two patterns stand out for families. First, absenteeism is low everywhere — 0.0% at the elementary, 2.5% at the middle, and 6.5% at the high school, all well under the 17.3% state rate. Second, free/reduced lunch varies sharply: 63.86% at the middle school versus 1.44% at the elementary and 3% at the high school. Academically, the clearest needs are upper-grade math and science, especially 8th grade math (13.04% vs. 53.67% state) and 8th grade science (26.09% vs. 51.86% state), plus ACT math at the high school — even as the elementary posts exceptional math and science results.