For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 4,042 students in Lincoln County, WI (there are 5 private schools, serving 685 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County, WI are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, WI are Lincoln Hills School, Kate Goodrich Elementary School and Washington Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lincoln County, WI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 38% statewide average). Schools in Lincoln County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Wisconsin public schools.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Wisconsin public school average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Lincoln County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Hills School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
W4380 Copper Lake Ave
Irma, WI 54442
(715) 536-8386
Irma, WI 54442
(715) 536-8386
Gr: 6-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #22.
Kate Goodrich Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505 W 10th St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5233
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5233
Gr: K-2 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1900 E 6th St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2373
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2373
Gr: 3-4 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Copper Lake School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
W4380 Copper Lake Ave
Irma, WI 54442
(715) 536-8386
Irma, WI 54442
(715) 536-8386
Gr: 7-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #55.
Merrill Adult Diploma Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1004 E 1st Street
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-1431
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-1431
Gr: 10-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Bridges Virtual Academy
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 56% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1201 N Sales St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 539-8360
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 539-8360
Gr: PK-12 | 747 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Tomahawk Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1048 E Kings Rd
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-2126
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-2126
Gr: PK-5 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #88.
Tomahawk High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1048 E Kings Rd
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-2106
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-2106
Gr: 9-12 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #99.
Prairie River Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
106 N Polk St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-9593
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-9593
Gr: 5-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Tomahawk Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1048 E Kings Rd
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-5371
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-5371
Gr: 6-8 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1111.
Merrill High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1201 N Sales St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-4594
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-4594
Gr: 9-12 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
W4165 Highway 64
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2392
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2392
Gr: PK | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Lincoln County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1914 Jackson St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5432
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5432
Gr: K-5 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
W1550 County Road J
Gleason, WI 54435
(715) 873-4530
Gleason, WI 54435
(715) 873-4530
Gr: K-5 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
W4165 Hwy 64
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-6101
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-6101
Gr: K-5 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
N1725 Sunset Dr
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5019
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5019
Gr: 1-5 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, WI?
The top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, WI include Lincoln Hills School, Kate Goodrich Elementary School and Washington Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lincoln County?
12 public schools are located in Lincoln County.
What percentage of students in Lincoln County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County public schools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Wisconsin public schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Lincoln County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lincoln County include: Merrill High School vs. Tomahawk High School, Tomahawk High School vs. Merrill High School, Lincoln Hills School vs. Copper Lake School
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