Summary:
ZIP code 53589 has one middle school, River Bluff Middle, which serves grades 6–8 and enrolls 569 students in Stoughton, Wisconsin, as part of the Stoughton Area School District, ranked 133rd of 432 in Wisconsin (69th percentile, 3 stars). Because it is the only middle school in this ZIP code, it is the sole local option for families, and comparisons are most useful against state averages, the district, and the school’s own past performance.
River Bluff Middle has been improving: its state rank rose from 391st of 641 schools in 2023–24 (39th percentile, 2 stars) to 234th of 643 in 2025–26 (64th percentile, 3 stars). In 2025–26, it was above the Wisconsin state average in 7 of 8 reported Forward Exam subjects/grades. Strong spots included 6th grade math (65.34% vs. 53.60%, +11.74 points), 8th grade science (59.34% vs. 51.86%, +7.48), and 8th grade social studies (71.98% vs. 64.63%, +7.35). The main watch area is 7th grade English Language Arts, the only 2025–26 exam below the state average, at 52.44% vs. 55.33%, and it declined from 56.99% the prior year. Meanwhile, 8th grade ELA, math, and science all moved from below state in 2024–25 to above state in 2025–26, though these are different grade cohorts, not the same students over time.
Engagement and climate indicators also look favorable. Chronic absenteeism is 11.5% at River Bluff, compared with 13.5% in Stoughton Area School District and 17.3% statewide, and the dropout rate is 0.0% versus 1.1% for Wisconsin. Context for families: the school has a 12.2 student-teacher ratio, 28.3% free/reduced lunch eligibility, and per-student spending of $14,189. Overall, River Bluff Middle appears to be a school with improving rankings, mostly above-state proficiency, strong attendance and dropout numbers, and one clear academic concern in 7th grade ELA.
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