The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in Science. The lowest is 52% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Gillett Middle
Gillett Middle serves grades six through eight in the Gillett School District, a small public school in rural Oconto County, Wisconsin. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and sits directly on Main Street, integrated into the downtown fabric of the city. Gillett itself is a small, compact city with deep agricultural and logging roots, roughly a 40-minute drive northwest of Green Bay. The town bills itself as the “ATV Capital of the World” and maintains a network of trails, but daily life is car-dependent, with most residents driving alone to work. The school’s location places it within walking distance of local shops and city government, but the broader community context is one of limited public transit and a rural small-town pace.
The student body is small, which is typical for a middle school in a town of this size. The majority of students are white, with a smaller share identifying as Hispanic and a small number identifying as two or more races or American Indian or Alaska Native. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a level of economic need that is higher than many nearby districts. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how those populations are supported.
On state assessments, the school’s performance sits above the midpoint among districts in Oconto County overall. In math, proficiency rates vary by grade, with sixth and eighth grade showing rates in the lower half and seventh grade somewhat lower. In English language arts, results are mixed, with sixth grade showing a lower proficiency rate and eighth grade closer to the middle, while seventh grade posts the strongest ELA result across the tested grades. Eighth grade science and social studies results are notably stronger than the other subjects, with a higher share of students reaching the proficient level. The school achieved full participation in testing, which is a positive sign for accountability. Because the school serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, staffing ratios, or course access such as advanced or career-technical offerings. These are common gaps in the available data for smaller schools, but a parent looking to understand the full picture of school climate and academic pathways should ask the school directly about those areas.
The district itself shows no evidence of recent significant changes—no reported referendums, curriculum shifts, or property tax changes in the available public sources, suggesting a stable if uneventful period for the school system. Housing in Gillett is more affordable than the state and national averages, with median home values well below the Wisconsin typical figure. The community is stable in population, with no major new development projects mentioned in available sources.
For a family considering Gillett Middle, this is a small rural school where the strongest tested academic areas are science and social studies in eighth grade. The math and ELA results are mixed, and the economic context of the student body is one of relatively high need. The school sits in a town where daily life is car-dependent and community anchors are focused on outdoor recreation and a small downtown. The lack of available data on special populations, discipline, and course access means a thorough conversation with the school would be valuable for any parent weighing fit.
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