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D
Schools in Buffalo · Montello School District

Buffalo’s public schools score below 86% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

In Buffalo, 28% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buffalo, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. 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 97% 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%
▼ 10 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 11 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Spent per student
$19.4K
▲ 18% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.3
WI 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
516 students on the public path
In brief

Buffalo’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,396 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Montello Junior/Senior High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Log Cabin 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 Buffalo’s grade

C− Test scores

D: better than 14% of Wisconsin school districts. Test scores are below the Wisconsin average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 14%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1340)Better than 10%
Towns in Marquette County (14)Better than 0%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 309 test results could put Buffalo anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Buffalo’s students in the tested grades sat them (309 in math, 309 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–6Forest Lane Community Schoolin MontelloB+
7–12Montello Junior/Senior Highin MontelloD

Buffalo’s public schools are run by Montello School District, which also serves Mecan, Montello, Montello and Packwaukee and others. 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.

Montello School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 571 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 9.3 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$19,396WI $16,459 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading28%
State average 38.1% · 309 students tested
Math28%
State average 38.7% · 309 students tested

Buffalo vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BuffaloDMontello
Moundville—Portage
KingstonBMarkesan
MarcellonC+Pardeeville Area
PackwaukeeDMontello
MontelloDMontello

2 of the 5 neighbors share Montello with Buffalo, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Buffalo

3 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 Buffaloin other towns
Forest Lane Community School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Montello
B+
284 students10:1Rate it →
Montello Junior/Senior High
High · Grades 7–12 · Montello
D
232 students8:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Log Cabin School
Elementary · Grades 1–8 · Pardeeville
Private · Religious
33 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Buffalo’s schools

Are Buffalo’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Buffalo children attend score below 86% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 10%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Buffalo in?

Montello School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 571 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

How much does Buffalo spend per student?

$19,396 in Montello School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Buffalo?

Yes: Log Cabin School (religious, grades 1–8, 33 students).

Parents talk

What Buffalo families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buffalo → 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.