Summary:
The Wisconsin Rapids School District serves roughly 4,370 students across 11 schools — eight elementary, one middle (Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle) and two high schools, Lincoln High and River Cities High — covering PK through 12th grade in central Wisconsin. As a district it ranks 316th of 432 in the state, placing it in the 27th percentile with a 1-star rating, yet its individual schools span a huge range, from the 81st percentile at Grant Elementary down to the 8th percentile at River Cities High.
Grant Elementary is the clearest standout: 4 stars, 81st percentile, and a test average of about 71.5% — roughly 16.7 points above the state — with the district's lowest free/reduced lunch rate at 26.59%. Washington Elementary (3 stars, 66th percentile) and THINK Academy-Together Helping INspire Kids (3 stars, 63rd percentile) also beat state averages, while Howe Elementary (3 stars, 56th percentile) does so despite a 66.07% free/reduced lunch rate. Lincoln High climbed from 1 to 2 stars, and Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle rose from the 32nd to the 44th percentile.
At the other end, River Cities High has 0 stars and an 8th percentile rank, with a 12.7% test average, 36.8% chronic absenteeism and a 6.1% dropout rate. Central Oaks Academy, Grove Elementary and Mead Elementary are all 1-star and below state. Notably, Mead and Grove have the district's highest per-student spending ($19,658 and $19,866) and lowest student-teacher ratios, yet the weakest elementary results, while Grant spends less ($14,460). Low chronic absenteeism at Washington (6.4%) and Grant (7.1%) tracks with their strong outcomes, and small schools like Central Oaks and River Cities produce volatile year-to-year numbers.
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