Summary
Bowler Elementary is a PK–6 public school in rural Bowler, Wisconsin, serving 156 students as the elementary school of the Bowler School District.
In 2025–26, Bowler Elementary ranked 909th of 1,039 Wisconsin elementary schools (13th percentile, 1 star), and its district ranks 408th of 432 (6th percentile, 0 stars). Academically, Bowler’s proficiency averaged about 26.5% in English language arts and about 18.9% in math, compared with state averages of roughly 53.6% and 53.3%. Math is the weaker area: 3rd grade math was just 9.52%, versus 54.75% statewide. Compared with nearby schools, Bowler generally outperforms only Keshena Primary and the very small Kaehkenawapahtaeq, and trails Clintonville Elementary School, Hatley Elementary, Marion Elementary, Birnamwood Elementary, Gresham Elementary, and Tigerton Elementary. Wittenberg Elementary is mixed: its ELA average is similar (27.4% vs. 26.5%), but its math average is much higher (37.6% vs. 18.9%). Notably, Bowler spends $22,830 per student — nearly double Birnamwood ($11,882) and Wittenberg ($12,072) — and has smaller classes (student–teacher ratio 9.3, versus 12.7 at Clintonville and 14.4 at Birnamwood).
A bright spot is attendance: chronic absenteeism fell from 46.7% in 2021–22 to 16.5% in 2024–25, now below the state (17.3%) and district (24.4%). About 77.56% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the second-highest rate among nearby public schools. Because Bowler is small, results swing widely from grade to grade and year to year, so single-year numbers should be read with caution. Where the school is least effective relative to other Wisconsin schools serving similar students: low-income students (7th percentile) and male students (10th percentile).
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