Washburn School District

Washburn School District in Wisconsin serves 547 students across three schools — one elementary school (PK–6), one middle school (7–8), and one high school (9–12), with no alternative school in the district.

The district as a whole is rated 3 stars and sits at the 53rd percentile of Wisconsin districts, but that average hides very different schools. Washburn High is the standout, at 4 stars and the 78th percentile, with a 100.0% graduation rate compared to the state's 92.0% and a 1.1% dropout rate. Its 10th graders beat the state in every reported subject, including ELA ACT (65.00% vs. 48.47%) and math ACT (50.00% vs. 42.93%). Washburn Elementary is more mixed: 3 stars at the 53rd percentile, with real strengths in 4th-grade science (71.88% vs. 53.46%) and 4th-grade social studies (75.00% vs. 65.51%), but a weak spot in 5th-grade ELA (39.47% vs. 53.63%). Washburn Middle is the biggest concern, falling from 4 stars and the 74th percentile a year ago to 2 stars and the 44th percentile now, with 8th-grade science at 41.94% and social studies at 51.61%, both well below state.

One issue cuts across the district: chronic absenteeism. Rates are 20.4% at the elementary school, 40.3% at the middle school, and 46.6% at the high school, all above Wisconsin's 17.3%. Spending per student ranges from $15,730 to $19,386, and free/reduced lunch rates are similar across the three schools (about 37.5% to 42.5%). With small enrollment at the middle school (80 students), year-to-year swings should be read with caution, but the size of its decline still stands out.