Grand Rapids’s public schools score below 65% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
31% of students in Grand Rapids’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Wisconsin average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Grand Rapids, 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.
From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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.
Grand Rapids’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1137 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Grand Rapids’s, its schools beat 26%, lower than their 35% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,119 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle, then Lincoln High. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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.
What’s behind Grand Rapids’s grade
C+: better than 35% of Wisconsin school districts, #284 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Grand Rapids, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Grand Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle
Grades 6–8 · 943 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
7th grade in Grand Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle
Grades 6–8 · 943 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
8th grade in Grand Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle
Grades 6–8 · 943 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
9th grade in Grand Rapids
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
10th grade in Grand Rapids
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
11th grade in Grand Rapids
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
12th grade in Grand Rapids
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
Grand Rapids’s public schools are run by Wisconsin Rapids School District, which also serves Biron, Grant, Hansen and Rudolph and others. Parts of Grand Rapids (5% of its land) are served by Port Edwards 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.
Well below the state in reading
Grand Rapids vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Grand Rapids’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | C+ | Wisconsin Rapids |
| Wisconsin Rapids | C+ | Wisconsin Rapids |
| Port Edwards | C− | Port Edwards |
| Biron | — | Wisconsin Rapids |
| Grant | C | Wisconsin Rapids PK–12 · Tri-County Area PK–12 |
| Saratoga | C− | Wisconsin Rapids PK–12 · Nekoosa PK–12 |
4 of the 5 neighbors share Wisconsin Rapids with Grand Rapids, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Grand Rapids
10 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).
Questions about Grand Rapids’s schools
Are Grand Rapids’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Grand Rapids children attend score below 65% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #284 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Grand Rapids in?
Wisconsin Rapids School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,578 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Grand Rapids are served by Port Edwards.
Where do Grand Rapids kids go to high school?
Lincoln High in Wisconsin Rapids, with 1,337 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Grand Rapids’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Wisconsin Rapids School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Grand Rapids spend per student?
$15,119 in Wisconsin Rapids School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Grand Rapids families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Grand Rapids → 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.