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Northwoods Community Elementary

Q: Is Northwoods Community Elementary a good school?

Northwoods Community Elementary ranks 304 th of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

304^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,039 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Better than 71% of Wisconsin elementary schools

Summary

Northwoods Community Elementary is a small PK–5 school in the Northwoods community of Harshaw, Wisconsin, serving 97 students as part of the Rhinelander School District, and it stands out sharply from its surroundings. Northwoods is currently a 4-star school ranked 304 of 1,039 Wisconsin elementary schools (71st percentile) in 2025–2026, even though the district overall is rated 2 stars and sits at the 32nd percentile. It has now been a 4-star school for three straight years.

Academically, Northwoods outperforms its same-district peers. In 2025–2026, its average proficiency across grades 3–5 was about 64.6% in English Language Arts and 66.9% in math, compared with district averages of roughly 48.4% and 47.2%. Pelican Elementary, Central Elementary, and Crescent Elementary were all lower. Among nearby schools, Sugar Camp Elementary ranked higher in 2025–2026 at the 81st percentile, while Minocqua Elementary and Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary were both at the 61st percentile. In 2024–2025, Northwoods ranked above all of them. Chronic absenteeism is 5.9%, versus 12.8% for the district and 17.3% statewide, and its student-teacher ratio of 9.2 is the lowest among the comparison schools.

Two things are worth watching. Northwoods' 2025–2026 result is a cooling from its 84th-percentile peak in 2024–2025, and science scores are less consistently above state averages than ELA and math. Its measured effectiveness for low-income students was at the 39th percentile in 2025–2026, well below its overall 71st percentile, which is the clearest internal gap. Note also that Northwoods serves a relatively lower share of low-income students than most same-district peers. With only 97 students, single-year swings are less reliable than the long-term trend, which runs from the 21st percentile in 2017–2018 to sustained 4-star performance today.

Students ?

9.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,632

Per pupil spending ?

24.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

9086 County Road K
Harshaw, WI 54529-9731

(715) 282-8200

District: Rhinelander School District

Students who attend Northwoods Community Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	James Williams Middle
High:	Rhinelander High

Racial breakdown:

White:

95.9%

Two or more races:

4.1%

See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

Compare Northwoods Community Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 26th percentile in 2016 → 71st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Wisconsin average (66% vs 55% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 45 percentile points since 2016

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Rhinelander School District

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school66%

District avg50%

Wisconsin avg55%

304^th of 1,039

Wisconsin public elementary schools ?

Top 29%▲ up 45 pts since 2016

From bottom 26% (2016) to top 29% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Wisconsin Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4Elementary Schools in the Rhinelander School District

292^nd of 432Rhinelander School District among Wisconsin districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	70.5	304 of 1039	70.7%	★★★★☆
2025	79.6	166 of 1044	84.1%	★★★★☆
2024	78.4	181 of 1061	82.9%	★★★★☆
2023	66.2	358 of 1067	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.7	370 of 1067	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.1	365 of 1050	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.3	543 of 1037	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	29.4	810 of 1025	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	43.3	679 of 1071	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	33.0	797 of 1075	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	37.5	802 of 1076	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	50.6	607 of 1061	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.5	653 of 1053	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.8	501 of 1045	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	60.3	476 of 1046	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	50.8	659 of 1045	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	52.2	602 of 1030	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2008	66.4	360 of 1021	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2006	72.9	195 of 712	72.6%	★★★★☆
2005	73.0	180 of 632	71.5%	★★★★☆
2004	23.8	524 of 633	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	64.1	354 of 986	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.4	478 of 1002	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.2	619 of 997	37.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	42.2	521 of 848	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	70.9	167 of 874	80.9%	★★★★☆
2018	36.3	613 of 854	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	75.1	215 of 989	78.3%	★★★★☆
2019	60.6	402 of 1002	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	43.7	634 of 997	36.4%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2025	65.4	247 of 718	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.0	250 of 727	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.6	238 of 699	66.0%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)78th percentile+8 vs school

White (2025)66th percentile-19 vs school

Female (2026)64th percentile-7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)39th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Wisconsin (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies71%+5 vs state

Mathematics68%+15 vs state

English Language Arts66%+13 vs state

Science53%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Northwoods Community Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Forward Exam English Language Arts (2026)						Forward Exam Mathematics (2026)						Forward Exam Social Studies (2026)		Forward Exam Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Forward Exam English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 4th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 5th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 6th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 7th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 8th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 3rd Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 4th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 5th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 6th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 7th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 4th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 8th Grade	Forward Exam Science 4th Grade	Forward Exam Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northwoods Community Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	9086 County Road K	Harshaw	54529	Oneida County	Rhinelander School District	No	No	No	No	(715) 282-8200	97	11	9.2	24.7%	93 (95.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (4.1%)	70.5	304^th of 1039 public elementary schools	70.7%		79.6	166^th of 1044 public elementary schools	84.1%	138	75.0	58.8	60.0				70.0	70.6	60.0				70.6		52.9		$19,632	$247	$19,385
Crescent Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3319 Boyce Dr	Rhinelander	54501	Oneida County	Rhinelander School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 365-9132	384	36	10.7	52.9%	338 (88.0%)	2 (0.5%)	16 (4.2%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.7%)	35.5	758^th of 1039 public elementary schools	27.0%		34.2	778^th of 1044 public elementary schools	25.5%	20	41.1	51.9	45.3				32.1	37.0	43.4				55.6		48.2		$18,695	$814	$17,881
Tomahawk Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1048 E Kings Rd	Tomahawk	54487	Lincoln County	Tomahawk School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 453-2126	512	43	11.9	53.1%	470 (91.8%)	2 (0.4%)	17 (3.3%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.5%)	45.4	657^th of 1039 public elementary schools	36.8%		59.8	462^nd of 1044 public elementary schools	55.7%	195	36.4	54.1	68.9				43.4	43.2	67.2				55.4		41.9		$16,280	$1,059	$15,221
Minocqua Elementary	Public	PK, KG-8	7450 Titus Dr	Minocqua	54548	Oneida County	Minocqua J1 School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 356-5206	506	48	10.5	32.4%	434 (85.8%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.3%)	4 (0.8%)	13 (2.6%)	2 (0.4%)	31 (6.1%)	63.2	403^rd of 1039 public elementary schools	61.2%		71.3	293^rd of 1044 public elementary schools	71.9%	110	66.7	67.9	66.7	57.1	62.5	73.6	52.4	41.5	64.7	61.9	51.8	66.0	69.8	83.0	52.8	73.6	$21,513	$685	$20,828
Central Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	418 N Pelham St	Rhinelander	54501	Oneida County	Rhinelander School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 365-9600	269	26	10.4	61.7%	228 (84.8%)	5 (1.9%)	12 (4.5%)	1 (0.4%)	5 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (6.7%)	40.6	712^th of 1039 public elementary schools	31.5%		43.3	678^th of 1044 public elementary schools	35.1%	34	51.3	44.0	33.3				53.9	64.0	36.1				56.0		44.0		$20,266	$555	$19,711
Pelican Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3350 V Hickey Rd	Rhinelander	54501	Oneida County	Rhinelander School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 365-9160	263	26	10.0	49.0%	240 (91.3%)	2 (0.8%)	4 (1.5%)	2 (0.8%)	3 (1.1%)	1 (0.4%)	11 (4.2%)	50.7	582^nd of 1039 public elementary schools	44.0%		42.3	693^rd of 1044 public elementary schools	33.6%	111	41.9	64.9	44.1				46.5	62.2	41.2				67.6		59.5		$19,596	$660	$18,937
Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary	Public	PK, KG-8	11065 Old Highway 51 N	Arbor Vitae	54568	Oneida County	Woodruff J1 School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 356-3282	514	45	11.4	36.8%	415 (80.7%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.9%)	3 (0.6%)	43 (8.4%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (5.3%)	63	404^th of 1039 public elementary schools	61.1%		67.4	357^th of 1044 public elementary schools	65.8%	47	63.4	56.9	71.1	49.0	63.5	70.0	73.2	56.9	55.6	52.9	48.1	70.0	66.7	75.0	60.8	71.7	$16,717	$648	$16,068
Sugar Camp Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	4066 Camp Four Rd	Rhinelander	54501	Oneida County	Three Lakes School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 272-1105	111	11	10.2	22.5%	106 (95.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.5%)	77.9	201^st of 1039 public elementary schools	80.7%		65.2	381^st of 1044 public elementary schools	63.5%	180	70.0	90.5	52.6	53.9			70.0	85.7	47.4	84.6			85.7		81.0		$24,755	$635	$24,120

Frequently Asked Questions about Northwoods Community Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Northwoods Community Elementary?

Students at Northwoods Community Elementary are 96% White, 4% Two or more races.

Is Northwoods Community Elementary a good school?

Northwoods Community Elementary ranks 304^th of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Northwoods Community Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 97 students attended Northwoods Community Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Northwoods Community Elementary attend?

Students who attend Northwoods Community Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : James Williams Middle
High : Rhinelander High

What district is Northwoods Community Elementary in?

Rhinelander School District

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Latest Wisconsin data All new data »

2025–26 ACT & Forward Exam scoresOct 1, 2026

2021–22 through 2024–25 school spending dataJul 16, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2024–25 ACT & Forward Exam scoresSep 25, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.