For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 2,194 students in Washburn County, WI (there are 1 private school, serving 113 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Washburn County, WI are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
The top ranked public schools in Washburn County, WI are Birchwood High School, Birchwood Public Montessori and Birchwood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Washburn County, WI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 38% statewide average). Schools in Washburn County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Wisconsin public schools.
Minority enrollment is 11% 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 Washburn County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Birchwood High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 S Wilson St
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Grades: 9-12
| 66 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Birchwood Public Montessori
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
201 E Birch St
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Grades: PK-6
| 24 students
Rank: #33.
Birchwood Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 S Wilson St
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Grades: PK-5
| 87 students
Rank: #44.
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
271 Highway 63
Shell Lake, WI 54871
(715) 468-7815
Shell Lake, WI 54871
(715) 468-7815
Grades: 3-6
| 173 students
Rank: #55.
Spooner High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
801 County Highway A
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2172
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2172
Grades: 9-12
| 374 students
Rank: #66.
Spooner Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
750 Oak St
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2173
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2173
Grades: 5-8
| 258 students
Rank: #77.
Shell Lake Junior/senior High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
271 Highway 63
Shell Lake, WI 54871
(715) 468-7814
Shell Lake, WI 54871
(715) 468-7814
Grades: 7-12
| 317 students
Rank: #88.
Spooner Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1821 Scribner St
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2174
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2174
Grades: PK-4
| 366 students
Rank: #99.
Birchwood Middle School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 S Wilson St
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Grades: 6-8
| 38 students
Rank: #1010.
Northwood Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
N14463 Highway 53
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Grades: PK-5
| 158 students
Rank: #1111.
Northwood High/middle
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
N14463 Highway 53
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Grades: 6-12
| 137 students
Rank: n/an/a
Bobcat Virtual Academy
Charter School
300 S Wilson St
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Grades: PK-12
| 11 students
Rank: n/an/a
1821 Scribner St
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2174
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2174
Grades: PK
| 54 students
Rank: n/an/a
Northwood Virtual Charter School
Charter School
N14463 Highway 53
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Grades: PK-12
| 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
271 Highway 63
Shell Lake, WI 54871
(715) 468-7815
Shell Lake, WI 54871
(715) 468-7815
Grades: PK-2
| 128 students
Washburn County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Birchwood Blue Hills Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
201 E Birch St
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-9809
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-9809
Grades: 7-12
| 7 students
201 East Birch St
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-9809
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-9809
Grades: PK-6
| 23 students
300 S Wilson Street
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Birchwood, WI 54817
(715) 354-3471
Grades: PK
| n/a students
801 Cty Hwy A
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2171
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2171
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Northstar Community Charter School (Closed 2024)
Charter School
N14463 Highway 53
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Minong, WI 54859
(715) 466-2297
Grades: 4-8
| 30 students
801 County Highway A
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2171
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 635-2171
Grades: PK-12
| 58 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Washburn County, WI?
The top ranked public schools in Washburn County, WI include Birchwood High School, Birchwood Public Montessori and Birchwood Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Washburn County?
15 public schools are located in Washburn County.
What percentage of students in Washburn County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Washburn County are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Washburn County?
Washburn County public schools minority enrollment is 11% 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 Washburn County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Washburn County include: Shell Lake Junior/senior High School vs. Spooner High School, Spooner High School vs. Shell Lake Junior/senior High School
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