The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Social studies. The lowest is 61% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Amery Middle
Amery Middle is a regular public school in the Amery School District serving grades six through eight. It sits on a school campus along Minneapolis Avenue in Amery, Wisconsin, a small city in Polk County known as the “City of Lakes” for its location along the Apple River. The school’s campus is set apart from the historic downtown commercial district, which contains City Hall, the public library, art galleries, and a mix of locally owned shops and restaurants.
Academically, Amery Middle posts results that place it among the stronger schools in its county. Across tested subjects and grade levels, the school’s overall proficiency index lands in the top quartile relative to other districts in Polk County. In mathematics, roughly three-quarters of sixth graders and seventh graders meet or exceed state standards, while about two-thirds of eighth graders do the same. English language arts proficiency is solid: about two-thirds of sixth and eighth graders and about seven out of ten seventh graders are at or above the bar. In science, the only tested grade is eighth, where about six in ten reach proficiency. Social studies in eighth grade is the highest subject, with about three out of four students meeting the standard. These are the most recent state assessment results available, and the school had very high participation rates, so the scores represent nearly all enrolled students in those grades.
The student body is small, typical for a middle school in a community of this size. It is predominantly white, with small shares of students who identify as Hispanic, as two or more races, or as Asian. About two out of every five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a level that indicates a meaningful share of families have lower household incomes. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so a parent who needs information on special education services or language support would want to ask the school directly.
The community context shapes what life is like for a family at this school. Amery is a slow-growing small city where manufacturing, educational services, and retail are the most common industries. The Amery Regional Medical Center is a notable local employer, and the school district itself is a significant one. Housing values in the area are near the statewide median, and the typical mortgage payment is manageable for a family with a median income. The city is car-dependent overall, though a historic downtown offers some walkable amenities and the Stower State Trail provides a recreational connection for biking and hiking.
The district recently completed a series of facility upgrades funded by a referendum. At the high school, the science and math wing and commons area were fully remodeled, and outdoor athletic fields were renovated to include artificial turf, a new track, and upgraded amenities. At the elementary level, a new wing for early childhood classrooms and a childcare program were added. While these improvements are at other buildings in the district, they signal an investment in the overall educational environment that feeds into the middle school.
Amery Middle does not have a graduation rate to report because it serves only middle grades, and no data on chronic absenteeism or course access was available. What is clear from the evidence is that the school performs consistently across subjects and grade levels, with notably strong results in social studies and math, and operates in a small-town setting where recent capital projects have refreshed the district's facilities. A family moving into the area would find a school that holds its own academically compared to others in the county and serves a close-knit, predominantly white student population in a community with recreational amenities and a stable economic base.
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