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2009-0620-Colby-downtownPhoto: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0
C
Schools in Colby · Colby School District

Colby’s public schools score below 73% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

24% of students in Colby’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Wisconsin average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Colby, 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 96% 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
24%
▼ 14 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▼ 12 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 4–10 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.8K
▼ 10% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.8
WI 13.6
Schools in town
5
901 students on the public path
In brief

Colby’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 433 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Colby’s, its schools beat 41%, higher than their 27% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin (the state reports Colby’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,761 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Colby Middle, then Colby High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Mary 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 Colby’s grade

D Test scoresB Graduation

C: better than 27% of Wisconsin school districts. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 27%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (433)Better than 41%
C−C+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 456 test results and a graduating class of 77 could put Colby anywhere from C− to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Colby’s students in the tested grades sat them (461 in math, 452 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Colby ElementaryColby School DistrictC+
6–8Colby MiddleColby School DistrictD
9–12Colby HighColby School DistrictD

Colby’s public schools are run by Colby School District, which also serves Brighton, Colby, Dorchester and Frankfort 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.

Colby School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 901 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 13.8 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$14,761WI $16,459 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading24%
State average 38.1% · 452 students tested
Math27%
State average 38.7% · 461 students tested

Colby vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ColbyCColby
Colby (town)—Colby
Hull—Colby
AbbotsfordDAbbotsford

2 of the 3 neighbors share Colby with Colby, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Colby

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).

District schools in Colbyby address
Little Stars Pre-School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
37 students17:1Rate it →
Colby Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
C+
354 students12:1Rate it →
Colby Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
D
204 students14:1Rate it →
Colby High
High · Grades 9–12
D
306 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Mary School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
83 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Colby’s schools

Are Colby’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Colby children attend score below 73% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 41%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Colby in?

Colby School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 901 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Colby kids go to high school?

Colby High, with 306 students; its own test results earn a D.

What is Colby’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Colby School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.

How much does Colby spend per student?

$14,761 in Colby School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Colby?

Yes: St. Mary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 83 students).

Parents talk

What Colby families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Colby → 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.