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C
Schools in Belle Plaine · Shawano School District

Belle Plaine’s public schools score below 72% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

In Belle Plaine, 30% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Belle Plaine, 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 98% 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
31%
▼ 7 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
$13.5K
▼ 18% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.6
WI 13.6
Schools in town
1
1,999 students on the public path
In brief

Belle Plaine’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 98% 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 Belle Plaine’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,519 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Brener Elementary, then Shawano Community Middle, then Shawano High. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Wolf River Lutheran High School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

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 Belle Plaine’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 28% of Wisconsin school districts. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 28%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1282)Better than 28%
Towns in Shawano County (25)Better than 40%
C−C+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,097 test results and a graduating class of 190 could put Belle Plaine anywhere from C− to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Belle Plaine’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,099 in math, 1,095 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2Hillcrest Primary Schoolin ShawanoNo scores
3–5Brener Elementaryin ShawanoC
6–8Shawano Community Middlein ShawanoC
9–12Shawano Highin ShawanoC−

Belle Plaine’s public schools are run by Shawano School District, which also serves Herman, Navarino, Richmond and Shawano and others. Parts of Belle Plaine (7% of its land) are served by Clintonville instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

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

Shawano School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,079 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 13.6 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$13,519WI $16,459 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading31%
State average 38.1% · 1095 students tested
Math30%
State average 38.7% · 1099 students tested

Belle Plaine vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Belle PlaineCShawano
Pella—Marion PK–12 · Clintonville PK–12
ShawanoCShawano
WaukechonCShawano PK–12 · Bonduel PK–12
RichmondCShawano
Matteson—Clintonville

3 of the 5 neighbors share Shawano with Belle Plaine, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Belle Plaine

5 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 Belle Plainein other towns
Hillcrest Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2 · Shawano
472 students12:1Rate it →
Brener Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5 · Shawano
C
389 students15:1Rate it →
Shawano Community Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Shawano
C
436 students12:1Rate it →
Shawano High
High · Grades 9–12 · Shawano
C−
702 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Wolf River Lutheran High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Shawano
Private · Religious
35 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Belle Plaine’s schools

Are Belle Plaine’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Belle Plaine children attend score below 72% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Belle Plaine in?

Shawano School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,079 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Belle Plaine are served by Clintonville.

Where do Belle Plaine kids go to high school?

Shawano High in Shawano, with 702 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Belle Plaine’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Belle Plaine spend per student?

$13,519 in Shawano School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Belle Plaine?

Yes: Wolf River Lutheran High School (religious, grades 9–12, 35 students).

Parents talk

What Belle Plaine families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Belle Plaine → They have their own page.

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.