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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lincoln County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,024 students in Lincoln County, WI (there are 5 private schools, serving 608 private students). 88% 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 Doc Lincoln Hills/copper Lake 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 39% 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).

Best Public Schools in Lincoln County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Doc Lincoln Hills/copper Lake School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
W4380 Copper Lake Ave
Irma, WI 54442
(715) 536-8386
Gr: 6-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #22.
Kate Goodrich Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
505 W 10th St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5233
Gr: K-2 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1900 E 6th St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2373
Gr: 3-4 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Copper Lake School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
W4380 Copper Lake Ave
Irma, WI 54442
(715) 536-8386
Gr: 7-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
Merrill Adult Diploma Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1004 E 1st Street
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-1431
Gr: 11-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Tomahawk Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1048 E Kings Rd
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-2126
Gr: PK-5 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
Tomahawk High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1048 E Kings Rd
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-2106
Gr: 9-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
Prairie River Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
106 N Polk St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-9593
Gr: 5-8 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
Tomahawk Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1048 E Kings Rd
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-5371
Gr: 6-8 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1010.
Merrill High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1201 N Sales St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-4594
Gr: 9-12 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
Pine River School For Young Learners (Prsyl)
W4165 Highway 64
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2392
Gr: PK | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, WI?
The top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, WI include Doc Lincoln Hills/copper Lake 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?
88% 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).
Which public schools in Lincoln County are often viewed compared to one another?

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