Summary:
The Hayward Community School District in Wisconsin serves roughly 1,885 students across six schools covering PK–12, ranging from a 522-student high school to a 43-student environmental school. District-wide, it ranks 249 of 432 (42nd percentile, 2 stars), but that overall rating hides real differences between individual schools.
Hayward Middle is the academic standout, ranking in the 68th percentile in 2025–2026 with 3 stars and posting 8th grade social studies proficiency of 82.11% (versus 62.51% statewide) and 6th grade math at 78.57% (versus 53.60%). Hayward Intermediate also performs well, with 4th grade social studies at 77.48% and 5th grade math at 68.57%, though its rating slipped from 4 stars to 3 stars. Hayward Primary has no test data, as expected for PK–2, but posts low absenteeism (14.0%) and a low student-teacher ratio (10.5). Hayward High, the largest school, is mixed: ACT math beats the state, but science and social studies trail it, and chronic absenteeism is 30.2%.
Both the Hayward Center for Individualized Learning and Northern Waters Environmental School report 100% graduation rates and very low absenteeism, but their math scores are far below state in several grades and both are small or alternative settings. Poverty is similar across most schools — free/reduced lunch around 46–50% at the four traditional schools — yet Hayward Middle and Hayward Intermediate still outperform the state. Spending ranges from $11,287 to $19,061 per student. With Northern Waters at only 43 students, its percentages can swing sharply and should be read as directional.
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