Keshena Primary

Keshena Primary is a public elementary school in Keshena, Wisconsin, serving 394 students in grades PK–5 as part of the Menominee Indian School District in a rural community with very high poverty. The school carries 0 stars and ranked 1007th of 1039 Wisconsin schools in 2025–26 (3rd percentile), while its district ranks 431st of 432. About 90.61% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25, and 49.1% of students were chronically absent that year — nearly three times Wisconsin's 17.3% rate.

Test results in 2025–26 are far below state averages in every subject and grade. Third grade proficiency was 14.29% in English language arts and 15.63% in math; fourth grade was 4.35% in both ELA and math, 4.41% in science, and 20.29% in social studies; fifth grade was 14.93% in ELA and 4.41% in math. Statewide proficiency is roughly 52–55%. Nearby schools generally scored much higher, including Gillett Elementary and Bonduel Elementary, where fourth grade ELA and math proficiency ranged from about 48% to 61%, and Gresham Elementary, where fifth grade math reached 61.9%. Even Bowler Elementary, with 77.56% free/reduced lunch, posted 30% in fourth grade ELA and 45% in science.

Chronic absenteeism is the standout difference from comparable schools: Kaehkenawapahtaeq reported 36.0%, Bowler Elementary 16.5%, and Gillett Elementary 2.2%. Keshena Primary spends $25,568 per student — more than most neighbors — and has a low 7.8-to-1 student–teacher ratio, yet results remain among the lowest in the state, suggesting resources alone have not overcome its challenges. Subgroup rankings for low-income students and special education students sit in the bottom fifth statewide. There are early signs of improvement: third grade ELA rose from 4.29% to 14.29% and third grade math from 10% to 15.63% year over year, though fourth and fifth grade results remained very low.