The top reported proficiency rate is 86% in Social studies. The lowest is 63% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Rib Lake Elementary
Rib Lake Elementary serves students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the Rib Lake School District, a small, rural district in north-central Wisconsin. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits within the village of Rib Lake, a community of modest size centered on a lake of the same name. The village has a history rooted in the lumber industry and now functions as a quiet residential area with a strong orientation toward outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, snowmobiling, and hiking on the Ice Age Trail. Civic life is concentrated around a compact village center that includes a public library, village hall, and a historical society museum.
The school’s enrollment is small, and its student body is predominantly white. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which signals that a meaningful portion of families in this community face economic pressures. The grade-by-grade enrollment is balanced across the elementary years, with a slightly higher count in third grade and a smaller group in fifth grade.
Academic performance on Wisconsin’s Forward assessment, which tests students in grades three through five in English language arts and math, and fourth graders in science and social studies, is a notable strength. In math, the school’s results place it well above typical levels for the region. At every tested grade, the large majority of students scored at or above the proficient benchmark. The pattern is similar in English language arts, though performance softens somewhat by fifth grade, where the share of students meeting proficiency dips below the level seen in the earlier grades. Fourth-grade science results are more moderate, with a smaller majority reaching proficiency. Social studies, tested only in fourth grade, shows strong results, with most students scoring proficient. Looking at the school’s standing within Taylor County, of which it is one of just three districts, Rib Lake Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top tier of that small set. Because the school serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism data was available in the provided information.
Program offerings and staffing details were not included in the materials reviewed. Similarly, information on discipline rates and course access was absent. A parent who wants to understand the full range of what the school offers beyond the core academics would need to follow up directly with the school or district.
The district itself is in the middle of a significant capital investment. Voters approved a substantial referendum focused on improving safety, security, accessibility, and modernizing aging buildings. Groundbreaking was planned for spring of the following year after the vote, with completion targeted for the subsequent fall. This investment suggests that the physical school environment will see noticeable upgrades in the near term, which could be a consideration for families moving into the area or planning for a multi-year stay.
Housing in Rib Lake has seen a notable increase in value over the past year, though the typical home price remains below the state median. The local housing market has been moving upward, which may affect affordability for new families. The village’s population has been essentially flat for years, with no signs of rapid growth. The economy is small-scale, with the school district itself acting as a significant employer, and nearby Medford serving as a regional hub for jobs and services.
For a family considering Rib Lake Elementary, the picture is clear in some respects and open-ended in others. The school delivers strong academic outcomes in the core subjects for its grade band, especially in math and social studies, and it does so in a small, rural setting where the community is closely tied to the school. The student body is not economically diverse, but a notable share of families qualify for income-based meal support. The main gaps in the available information concern the school’s staffing levels, its approach to student support, and any specialized programs it may offer. A parent who values a tight-knit environment with solid elementary test results would find much to like here, while one who needs details on enrichment offerings or specific student services would want to seek those out before making a decision.
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