The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in Social studies. The lowest is 31% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Bowler Elementary
Bowler Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade as a regular public school in the Bowler School District, located in a small rural village in Shawano County. The school sits in a community that developed around a historic railroad depot and logging industry, and the area today functions primarily as a quiet residential town with limited commercial activity. Wisconsin’s northern forests surround the village, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Native American community is nearby.
The student body is small in size for its grade span. More than four out of five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high concentration of economic need. The racial and ethnic composition reflects the surrounding region: about two-fifths of students are White, roughly one-third are American Indian or Alaska Native, a smaller share are two or more races, and a modest portion are Hispanic. The presence of a sizable American Indian population connects to the proximity of the Stockbridge-Munsee community.
State assessment results count every student who was tested; participation was complete across all tested grades and subjects. Proficiency rates vary by grade and subject. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above ranges from about one-sixth of fifth graders to half of sixth graders. In English language arts, the pattern is similar: roughly one-sixth of fifth graders met the bar, while sixth graders climbed above three-fifths. On science and social studies tests, which are given only in fourth grade, roughly one-third and two-fifths of students respectively reached proficiency. Across all tested grades and subjects combined, the school’s proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among the six districts in Shawano County. A parent considering this school should expect that overall performance lags the county median, though the sixth-grade numbers are notably stronger.
Bowler Elementary does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate applies. The school does not report data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing. A parent may want to ask the school directly about those aspects of the learning environment. No specific program offerings, such as art, music, or extracurriculars, are listed in the available data.
The village of Bowler has experienced very little residential growth over the past decade and is in a period of slow population decline. The town’s comprehensive plan emphasizes maintaining its small community character while supporting compatible development. Housing values in the area are below state and national benchmarks, reflecting the rural, low-density market. The lack of major private employers is typical for a village this size; the school district and the nearby tribal community are likely among the largest local employers, though that is not confirmed by sourced material.
For a family, Bowler Elementary offers a small elementary setting in a quiet, rural town with a high proportion of students from low-income households. The academic picture is mixed: a parent will find that early-grade proficiency is below the county average, while the sixth-grade cohort performs closer to par. The school’s modest size and fully tested participation rates indicate that every student’s results are accounted for. Given the limited available data on discipline, staffing, and enrichment, a parent should plan to visit or speak with the school to understand the full day-to-day experience for their child.
See more original research from School Decision →