For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 2,658 students in Lafayette County, WI (there are 1 private school, serving 51 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Lafayette County, WI are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
The top ranked public schools in Lafayette County, WI are Benton High School, Darlington Elementary Middle School and Black Hawk Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lafayette County, WI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 38% statewide average). Schools in Lafayette County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Wisconsin public schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public school average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Lafayette County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Benton High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
41 Alma St
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Grades: 9-12
| 59 students
Rank: #22.
Darlington Elementary Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
11630 Center Hill Rd
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4021
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4021
Grades: PK-8
| 633 students
Rank: #33.
Black Hawk Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
202 E Center St
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5444
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5444
Grades: PK-5
| 169 students
Rank: #44.
Argyle Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
14665 State Road 78
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Grades: PK-5
| 147 students
Rank: #55.
Pecatonica High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
704 Cross St
Blanchardville, WI 53516
(608) 523-4285
Blanchardville, WI 53516
(608) 523-4285
Grades: 6-12
| 214 students
Rank: #66.
Belmont Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
646 E Liberty St
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 732-5581
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 732-5581
Grades: PK-6
| 224 students
Rank: #77.
Benton Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
41 Alma St
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Grades: PK-6
| 132 students
Rank: #88.
Benton Middle School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
41 Alma St
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Grades: 7-8
| 27 students
Rank: #99.
Darlington High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
11838 Center Hill Rd
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4001
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4001
Grades: 9-12
| 257 students
Rank: #1010.
Shullsburg Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
444 N Judgement St
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Grades: PK-5
| 133 students
Rank: #1111.
Shullsburg Junior High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
444 N Judgement St
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Grades: 6-8
| 77 students
Rank: #1212.
Shullsburg High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
444 N Judgement St
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Grades: 9-12
| 102 students
Rank: #1313.
Argyle Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
14665 State Road 78
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Grades: 6-8
| 60 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Belmont High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
646 E Liberty St
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 762-5131
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 762-5131
Grades: 7-12
| 163 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Black Hawk Middle School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
202 E Center St
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5371
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5371
Grades: 6-8
| 72 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Argyle High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
14665 State Road 78
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Grades: 9-12
| 77 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Black Hawk High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
202 E Center St
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5371
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5371
Grades: 9-12
| 112 students
Lafayette County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Excel Charter School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
Po Box 303
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5444
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5444
Grades: 7-12
| 11 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Lafayette County, WI?
The top ranked public schools in Lafayette County, WI include Benton High School, Darlington Elementary Middle School and Black Hawk Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lafayette County?
17 public schools are located in Lafayette County.
What percentage of students in Lafayette County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Lafayette County are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lafayette County?
Lafayette County public schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Lafayette County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lafayette County include: Darlington High School vs. Black Hawk High School, Black Hawk High School vs. Darlington High School, Benton High School vs. Benton Elementary School
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