The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on White Lake High
White Lake High serves grades nine through twelve as a regular public school in the rural village of White Lake, Langlade County. The school is a small institution, with an enrollment that is modest for a high school grade band. The student body is predominantly white, with small percentages identifying as two or more races, Hispanic, Black, or American Indian or Alaska Native. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a majority of families face economic challenges.
State testing data is limited and dated. The available results come from the 2018-19 school year, and the school’s grade configuration means that most high school grades are not tested by the state’s Forward exam; the data that exists is for a single cohort of eighth graders who were enrolled in the school, likely because the district’s grade span places middle-grade students in the same building. In that year, proficiency in math for those eighth graders was low, while English language arts proficiency was higher, though based on a very small number of test-takers. Performance in science and social studies was suppressed due to low group size, which is common in a small school. When compared across its county, White Lake High’s overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Langlade County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school for more current and comprehensive academic data.
The school does not appear to publish program offerings in the available data, so information on Advanced Placement, dual credit, career and technical education, or extracurricular breadth is not available. The district brief found no recent changes such as referendums, curriculum shifts, or tax adjustments to report.
White Lake itself is a very small, rural village that originated as a lumber mill settlement. The population has declined over recent census counts, and the community is aging. The village surrounds a lake of the same name, which offers public access and fishing. Housing values in the area are lower than both state and national benchmarks, making the market more affordable than many parts of Wisconsin. The village is car-dependent with minimal commercial infrastructure. Major employers are limited, with the school district and health care among the few sectors. The school sits within the village rather than on a separate campus, and civic life centers around the lake, the volunteer fire department, and the village government.
For a family considering this school, the key characteristics are a very small rural setting, an affordable housing market, and a student body where most families qualify for income-based meal assistance. The academic picture is thin, and the available testing data, though old, points to areas of weakness. The school and district had no notable recent developments to report. This is a place that fits a family seeking a small, tight-knit school in a quiet lake community, who is comfortable working directly with the school to understand current academic offerings and student outcomes.
See more original research from School Decision →