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Schools in Alma · Alma Center School District, Black River Falls School District

Alma’s public schools score below 78% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

In Alma, 28% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Wisconsin average (38%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Alma, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Wisconsin, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
28%
▼ 11 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
30%
▼ 9 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▼ 0–4 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.5K
▲ 13% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024 · Black River Falls
Students per teacher
13.1
WI 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
1,205 students on the public path
In brief

Alma’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin (the state reports Alma’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Alma Center spends $16,714 per student and Black River Falls $18,517, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Alma’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 22% of Wisconsin school districts. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1311)Better than 20%
Towns in Jackson County (21)Better than 43%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,052 test results and a graduating class of 114 could put Alma anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 99% of Alma’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,052 in math, 1,051 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alma, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–62 schoolsDepends on your addressC+
7–122 schoolsDepends on your addressC to C+

Alma runs its own schools through grade 12 (Alma Center School District). From grade PK, students attend the Black River Falls School District, shared with Adams, Albion, Black River Falls, Brockway, Curran, Hixton, Hixton, Irving, Knapp, Komensky, Manchester and Millston. Its school is in Merrillan. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Alma

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Alma Center School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 589 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 12.2 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$16,714WI $16,459 · FY2024
C
Black River Falls School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,552 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 13.4 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$18,517WI $16,459 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Alma Center School District32%
State average 38.1% · 280 students tested
Math · PK–12, Alma Center School District39%
State average 38.7% · 280 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Black River Falls School District26%
State average 38.1% · 771 students tested
Math · PK–12, Black River Falls School District27%
State average 38.7% · 772 students tested

Alma vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Alma’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
AlmaC−Alma Center PK–12 · Black River Falls PK–12
Garden Valley—Alma Center
AdamsC−Black River Falls
Dewhurst—Neillsville
Alma Center—Alma Center
Mentor—Alma Center
Hixton—Black River Falls PK–12 · Alma Center PK–12
Hewett—Neillsville

4 of the 7 neighbors share Alma Center with Alma for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Alma

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Wisconsin’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Almain other towns
Lincoln Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Merrillan
C+
339 students13:1Rate it →
Forrest Street Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–1 · Black River Falls
289 students13:1Rate it →
Black River Falls Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Black River Falls
C+
327 students13:1Rate it →
Lincoln Jr/Sr High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Alma Center
C
250 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Alma’s schools

Are Alma’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Alma children attend score below 78% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 20%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Alma in?

Two districts: Alma Center School District runs grades PK–12, and Black River Falls School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Adams, Albion, Black River Falls, Brockway, Curran, Hixton, Hixton, Irving, Knapp, Komensky, Manchester and Millston.

What is Alma’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Black River Falls School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.

How much does Alma spend per student?

$16,714 in Alma Center School District and $18,517 in Black River Falls School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Alma families are saying about school.

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School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Wisconsin. Stars are from neighbors.