Summary
Cornell Middle is a small rural school in Cornell, Wisconsin, serving 83 students in grades 6 through 8 as part of the Cornell School District.
Cornell Middle ranks 405th out of 643 Wisconsin middle schools in 2025-26 (37th percentile, 2 stars) — a modest improvement over the past two years, but well below its 2017-18 peak. The district ranks higher, at the 60th percentile, so the middle school is currently underperforming relative to its own district. Test scores split sharply by grade. Sixth and seventh graders often beat the state average: 6th grade English language arts 75% proficient versus 54.95% statewide, 7th grade ELA 64.52%, and 7th grade math 58.06%. Eighth grade is the clear weak spot, below state in every subject — math 13.04% versus 53.67%, science 26.09% versus 51.86%, social studies 43.48% versus 64.63%, and ELA 43.48% versus 54.38% — and 8th grade math and science have lagged for several years. Among nearby schools, Stanley-Boyd Middle is strongest at the 61st percentile, while Bloomer Middle, Cadott Junior High, and Lake Holcombe Middle all fall in the high 30s to 40th percentile range.
Attendance is a standout strength: chronic absenteeism is just 2.5%, far below the state's 17.3% and lower than Bloomer (14.9%), Cadott (11.4%), and Lake Holcombe (28.0%). Only Stanley-Boyd is lower, at 0.9%. Dropout is 0.0%. That matters because 63.86% of Cornell students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the highest rate among nearby schools. Students from low-income families rank in the 79th percentile (4 stars), up from 25th in 2023-24, though female students (29th percentile) and special education students (44th) trail. Cornell spends $15,201 per student and has the highest student-teacher ratio nearby at 16.9, compared with Lake Holcombe's 11.2 at $19,196 per student.
Thank you for your feedback!