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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 32 public schools serving 9,622 students in Columbia County, WI (there are 12 private schools, serving 800 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Columbia County, WI are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, WI are Discovery Charter School, Fall River Elementary School and Poynette Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, WI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 39% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Wisconsin public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public school average of 34% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Discovery Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
200 Fuller St
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: K-3 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Fall River Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
150 Bradley St
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Gr: PK-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Poynette Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
225 W North St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Gr: PK-4 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Pardeeville High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Gr: 9-12 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Portage Academy Of Achievement
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2505 New Pinery Rd
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Lewiston Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
W11195 State Road 127
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2524
Gr: K-5 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #77.
Poynette Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
108 N Cleveland St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Gr: 5-8 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #88.
Spring Hill Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
300 Vine St
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-2468
Gr: PK-5 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #99.
Lodi High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1100 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Gr: 9-12 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Lodi Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
900 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3854
Gr: 6-8 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1111.
Rio Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
355 Lowville Rd
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3143
Gr: PK-5 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1212.
Ouisconsing School Of Collaboration
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
101 School St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Gr: 3-5 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
Poynette High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
108 N Cleveland St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Gr: 9-12 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1414.
Cambria Friesland Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
410 E Edgewater St
Cambria, WI 53923
(920) 348-5548
Gr: PK-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1515.
Fall River High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
150 Bradley St
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Gr: 6-12 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1616.
Portage High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 E Collins St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-8545
Gr: 9-12 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1717.
Lodi Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
101 School St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Gr: 3-5 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1818.
Wisconsin Dells Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
520 Race St
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-2467
Gr: 6-8 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1919.
Muir Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Woodcrest Dr
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5531
Gr: 2-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2020.
Pardeeville Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
503 E Chestnut St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2151
Gr: PK-4 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Columbus High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1164 Farnham St
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: 9-12 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Wisconsin Dells High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1505 Brew Farm Rd
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-1461
Gr: 9-12 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2323.
Pardeeville Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Gr: 5-8 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #2424.
Wayne Bartels Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2505 New Pinery Rd
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Gr: 6-8 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2525.
Columbus Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Fuller St
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2626.
Rio Middle/high
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
411 Church St
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3141
Gr: 6-12 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2727.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
400 S Dickason Blvd
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: 6-8 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2828.
Cambria Friesland Middle/high
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
410 E Edgewater St
Cambria, WI 53923
(920) 348-5548
Gr: 6-12 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: n/an/a
Doc Columbia Correctional Institution
Alternative School
2925 Columbia Dr
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-9100
Gr: 11-12 | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
Lodi Primary
1307 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3855
Gr: PK-2 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Portage Partnering Preschool
305 E Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Gr: PK | 129 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
Woodridge Elementary School
333 E Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3494
Gr: K-1 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, WI?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, WI include Discovery Charter School, Fall River Elementary School and Poynette Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia County?
34 public schools are located in Columbia County.
What percentage of students in Columbia County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Columbia County are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?

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