The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in Social studies. The lowest is 44% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Rosholt Middle
Rosholt Middle is a regular public school serving seventh and eighth graders in the village of Rosholt, a small rural community in Portage County. It is part of the Rosholt School District, which runs from elementary through high school, and the middle school building sits within the village itself, described in local accounts as a central civic institution rather than a separate campus. The school shares its library with the public, and the village has invested in a recent addition that includes a band room and gymnasium.
Enrollment is small, typical of a rural middle school serving just two grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and a very small number of two-or-more-races students. Roughly a quarter of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of economic need that is lower than in many rural Wisconsin schools. Special population data, such as the percentage of students with Individualized Education Programs or English learners, was not reported in the available data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of special education and language support.
State assessment results come from the Wisconsin Forward Exam, which tests math and English language arts in both grades, and science and social studies in eighth grade only. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above in seventh grade was below half, while eighth-grade math was stronger, reaching above half. In English language arts, seventh-grade proficiency was under half, and eighth grade improved to near half. Science in eighth grade also landed near half. The strongest result was in eighth-grade social studies, where a clear majority of students met proficiency. Participation rates were very high for most tests except seventh-grade math, which had a lower rate – a parent may want to ask the school about that dip. Overall, when looking across all tested subjects and grades, Rosholt Middle’s combined proficiency index sits below the midpoint among the districts within Portage County. This means that compared to other school districts in the same county, the overall academic performance is on the lower side, though the social studies result stands out as a relative bright spot.
The village of Rosholt is small and primarily residential, with a population that has been declining slightly in recent years. Historically built around lumber and agriculture, the village now has limited commercial activity, with residents driving to larger towns for most goods and services. The fairgrounds host the Portage County Fair and other community events, and there is a public library and a museum on site. No major new housing developments have been identified, and the housing market in the area shows home values that are below the state median but have appreciated at a faster rate than the national average recently. The local unemployment rate is moderate and in line with national figures.
For a family considering Rosholt Middle, the picture is of a very small, community-anchored school in a quiet rural village. The academic profile is mixed: a clear strength in eighth-grade social studies, but math and English language arts proficiency rates that are generally below half and trail the county average. The school’s size means close relationships among staff and students are likely, and the village’s stable, slow-growth character offers a predictable environment. Parents who prioritize a tight-knit rural setting where the school is woven into the fabric of the village may find this a comfortable fit. Those looking for higher academic benchmarks or a broader range of course offerings might want to investigate further, particularly to understand how the school supports students who are below proficiency and how it prepares eighth graders for the high school transition.
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