The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Social studies. The lowest is 44% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on John Edwards Middle
John Edwards Middle is a regular public school in Port Edwards, Wisconsin, serving grades six through eight. It is part of the Port Edwards School District, and its small enrollment—typical of a rural Wisconsin middle school—means students move through the building in a tight-knit, grade-level cohort environment. The school sits on the same campus as the district’s other buildings, integrated within the village rather than on a remote site.
State assessment results for the most recent testing year show a mixed picture across subjects and grades. In math, proficiency rates varied noticeably by grade: sixth graders had a moderate share scoring proficient or above, seventh graders reached a stronger level, and eighth graders landed lower, with a substantial portion not meeting the bar. English language arts results were more consistent across the three grades, each falling in a similar range, with roughly two-fifths to just under half of students reaching proficiency. Science, tested only in eighth grade, saw a similar share of students at the proficient level. Social studies, also tested in eighth grade, was a clear relative strength, with a majority of students scoring proficient or above. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages across all tested subjects and grades, sits above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Wood County. That positioning suggests John Edwards Middle performs reasonably well within its local context, though families will find pockets of weaker results, particularly in eighth-grade math, that warrant a conversation with the school about supports.
The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students. More than half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate-to-high level of economic need in the community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available, so a parent seeking that information would need to ask the school directly. Participation in state testing was full, which adds reliability to the reported results.
Port Edwards is a small village in Wood County, situated along the Wisconsin River. It began as a sawmill settlement and later became dominated by paper manufacturing, with the Domtar paper mill as the primary employer for generations. The mill closed several years ago, leaving the community in a post-industrial transition. The village’s built environment consists largely of preserved late-19th-to-mid-20th-century homes, and the population is small. Street life is minimal, and the area is car-oriented, consistent with other rural Wisconsin villages. The school district and village government are among the remaining institutional employers; no large-scale replacement industry has emerged. Growth appears flat, with no major new housing developments identified.
Housing values in the area are modest, well below state and national benchmarks. The typical home is more affordable than in many parts of Wisconsin, and monthly mortgage costs are lower than the national median rent, which may appeal to families looking for a lower-cost entry point to homeownership. However, the local economy offers fewer employment opportunities than larger regional centers, and a short commute to nearby communities such as Wisconsin Rapids is common.
John Edwards Middle is a solid fit for families who want a small, neighborhood-based middle school where children are known individually and where academic performance holds its own against nearby districts. The school’s social studies results stand out, while math and ELA are areas where some students will need additional attention. Parents concerned about the eighth-grade math dip, or about specific support for students from lower-income households, should ask about intervention programs and teacher-student ratios. The broader community context—a stable but not growing village, a post-industrial local economy, and affordable housing—means a family moving here is choosing a quiet, low-cost setting rather than a dynamic growth corridor.
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