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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lafayette County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 2,658 students in Lafayette County, WI (there are 2 private schools, serving 52 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 Black Hawk Elementary School, Pecatonica High School and Benton High 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 44% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 39% 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).

Best Public Schools in Lafayette County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Black Hawk Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
202 E Center St
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5444
Gr: PK-5 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Pecatonica High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
704 Cross St
Blanchardville, WI 53516
(608) 523-4285
Gr: 6-12 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #33.
Benton High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
41 Alma St
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Gr: 9-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Benton Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
41 Alma St
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Gr: PK-6 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Darlington Elementary Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
11630 Center Hill Road
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4021
Gr: PK-8 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
Argyle Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
14665 State Road 78
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Gr: PK-5 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Belmont Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
646 E Liberty St
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 732-5581
Gr: PK-6 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #88.
Darlington High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
11838 Center Hill Rd
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4001
Gr: 9-12 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
Benton Middle School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
41 Alma St
Benton, WI 53803
(608) 759-4002
Gr: 7-8 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1010.
Shullsburg Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
444 N Judgement St
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Gr: PK-5 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Argyle High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
14665 State Road 78
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Gr: 9-12 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Shullsburg High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
444 N Judgement St
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Gr: 9-12 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Argyle Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
14665 State Road 78
Argyle, WI 53504
(608) 543-3318
Gr: 6-8 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1414.
Black Hawk High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
202 E Center St
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5371
Gr: 9-12 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1515.
Shullsburg Junior High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
444 N Judgement St
Shullsburg, WI 53586
(608) 965-4427
Gr: 6-8 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Belmont High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
646 E Liberty St
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 762-5131
Gr: 7-12 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Black Hawk Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
202 E Center St
South Wayne, WI 53587
(608) 439-5371
Gr: 6-8 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lafayette County, WI?
The top-ranked public schools in Lafayette County, WI include Black Hawk Elementary School, Pecatonica High School and Benton High 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).
Which public schools in Lafayette County are often viewed compared to one another?

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