Saint Croix Falls School District

Saint Croix Falls School District is a small western Wisconsin district serving roughly 991 students across four schools — Saint Croix Falls Elementary (K–4), Saint Croix Falls Middle (5–8), Saint Croix Falls High (9–12), and Dresser Elementary (PK–K). The district is rated 4 stars and 80th percentile statewide, but that single rating masks wide differences among its schools.

Saint Croix Falls Elementary is the district's flagship and one of the strongest schools in Wisconsin, ranking 97th–98th percentile with 5 stars for three straight years. Its test scores run 20–36 points above state averages, chronic absenteeism is just 4.2% against the state's 17.3%, and its student-teacher ratio of 11 is the lowest in the district. By contrast, Saint Croix Falls Middle has slid from 84th to 74th to 63rd percentile, now holding 3 stars, with the district's highest chronic absenteeism at 12.3%, 5th and 8th grade math below state, and 8th grade social studies at 53.16 versus the state's 64.63. Saint Croix Falls High rebounded to 4 stars and 72nd percentile, posting a 94.6% graduation rate and 0.0% dropout rate, with math, science, and social studies above state. Its weak spot is 10th grade ACT English Language Arts at 43.82 versus 48.47, still below state though improved.

Attendance is a district-wide strength: every school is below the state's 17.3% chronic absenteeism rate, with the elementary exceptional at 4.2% and the middle school highest at 12.3%. Per-student spending ranges from $14,069 at the middle school to $19,327 at Dresser, with the elementary at $16,578. Dresser serves only PK–K, so its 46 students, 39.13% free/reduced lunch, and high spending are not directly comparable on outcomes. The district has no alternative school. In short: an elite elementary, an improving high school, and a middle school that needs attention.