Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 53948

ZIP code 53948 has one public middle school, Olson Middle, serving grades 6–8 in Mauston, Wisconsin in Mauston School District, with 240 students. As the only middle school in the area, it defines the local option. Its state rank improved from 477 of 641 in 2023–24 (26th percentile, 1 star) to 418 of 628 in 2024–25 (33rd percentile, 2 stars) to 402 of 643 in 2025–26 (37th percentile, 2 stars). In 2024–25, chronic absenteeism was 14.1%, below the district’s 16.6% and the state’s 17.3%, and the dropout rate was 0.0%, compared with 0.3% district and 1.1% state. It reported 55.42% free/reduced lunch eligibility, $15,714 per-student spending, and a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio.

Academically, Olson Middle averaged about 49.46% proficient across listed 2025–26 Forward Exam tests, compared with 46.23% for the district and 55.51% for the state. It exceeded the district in every listed test except Grade 7 ELA, where it was 34.21% versus the district’s 35.29%. Standouts were Grade 8 Mathematics at 60.53%, above the district’s 55.29% and the state’s 53.67%, and Grade 8 Social Studies at 68.42%, above the district’s 62.35% and the state’s 64.63%. Grade 8 ELA was 51.32%, only 3.06 points below state. The clearest weaknesses were Grade 7 ELA, 34.21% versus 55.33% statewide, a 21.12-point gap, and Grade 6 ELA, 39.19% versus 54.95% statewide, a 15.76-point gap.

For parents, the key takeaway is an improving school: rising rank and star rating, better attendance and dropout rates than district and state, and stronger results than its own district in most subjects. Grade 8 is the strongest grade band, especially Mathematics and Social Studies, while ELA in Grades 6 and 7 remains the largest academic concern. Cohort movement suggests growth: the 2024–25 Grade 6 class improved in ELA from 30.38% to 34.21% and in Math from 40.51% to 46.05%, and the 2024–25 Grade 7 class improved in ELA from 38.16% to 51.32% and in Math from 53.95% to 60.53%. Olson Middle serves a majority economically disadvantaged population, with 55.42% free/reduced lunch eligibility. Overall, it shows upward momentum, but still trails the state in several tested areas.