Summary:
ZIP code 54871 covers Shell Lake, Wisconsin, and contains two elementary schools, both part of the Shell Lake School District: Shell Lake Elementary (3-6), which serves grades 3–6 with 153 students, and Shell Lake Primary (K-2), which serves PK–2 with 131 students. The two schools share a campus at 271 Highway 63 and enroll 284 students combined. The district is rated 4 stars and ranks 88 out of 432 Wisconsin districts, placing it in the top 20% statewide.
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) is the academic standout. In 2025–2026 it ranked 174 out of 1,039 Wisconsin elementary schools — the 83rd percentile with 4 stars — a strong rebound from 301st (71st percentile) the year before. It beat the state proficiency rate in every tested subject and grade, including 6th grade ELA at 86.21% versus 54.95% statewide and 4th grade math at 85.71% versus 52.87%. Its lowest result, 5th grade math at 57.5%, still topped the state's 51.81%. Shell Lake Primary (K-2) has no Forward Exam scores because state testing begins in grade 3, so its strengths show up in climate and staffing measures instead.
Both schools keep chronic absenteeism well below average: 8.4% at the 3–6 school and 7.2% at the primary school, compared with 10.6% districtwide and 17.3% statewide. Student-teacher ratios are small (9.6 and 9.4), and per-student spending is $16,784 and $15,891 respectively. About 53% of students at each school qualify for free or reduced lunch. Because enrollment is small, year-to-year changes in proficiency percentages should be read with some caution. Overall, families in this area have a high-performing, closely connected elementary system.
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