Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0Merrimac’s public schools score below 63% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Merrimac, 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 95% 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.
Merrimac’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 867 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Merrimac’s, its schools beat 22%, lower than their 37% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Sauk Prairie spends $13,945 per student and Baraboo $13,823, 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.
What’s behind Merrimac’s grade
C+: better than 37% of Wisconsin school districts. 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 Merrimac, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Merrimac · depends on your address
Sauk Prairie Middle
Grades 6–8 · 595 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Sauk City
Jack Young Middle
Grades 6–8 · 548 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Baraboo
7th grade in Merrimac · depends on your address
Sauk Prairie Middle
Grades 6–8 · 595 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Sauk City
Jack Young Middle
Grades 6–8 · 548 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Baraboo
8th grade in Merrimac · depends on your address
Sauk Prairie Middle
Grades 6–8 · 595 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Sauk City
Jack Young Middle
Grades 6–8 · 548 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Baraboo
9th grade in Merrimac · depends on your address
Baraboo High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Baraboo
Sauk Prairie High
Grades 9–12 · 862 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Prairie du Sac
10th grade in Merrimac · depends on your address
Baraboo High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Baraboo
Sauk Prairie High
Grades 9–12 · 862 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Prairie du Sac
11th grade in Merrimac · depends on your address
Baraboo High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Baraboo
Sauk Prairie High
Grades 9–12 · 862 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Prairie du Sac
12th grade in Merrimac · depends on your address
Baraboo High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Baraboo
Sauk Prairie High
Grades 9–12 · 862 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Prairie du Sac
Merrimac runs its own schools through grade 12 (Sauk Prairie School District). From grade PK, students attend the Baraboo School District, shared with Baraboo, Baraboo, Delton, Excelsior, Fairfield, Freedom, Greenfield, North Freedom and West Baraboo. Its elementary school is in Prairie du Sac. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Merrimac
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Merrimac vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Merrimac’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Merrimac | C+ | Sauk Prairie PK–12 · Baraboo PK–12 |
| Merrimac (village) | — | Sauk Prairie |
| West Point | B− | Sauk Prairie PK–12 · Lodi PK–12 |
| Sumpter | B− | Sauk Prairie |
| Greenfield | — | Baraboo |
| Caledonia | C+ | Portage |
| Baraboo | C | Baraboo |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Sauk Prairie with Merrimac for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Merrimac
12 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 Merrimac’s schools
Are Merrimac’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Merrimac children attend score below 63% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 22%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Merrimac in?
Two districts: Sauk Prairie School District runs grades PK–12, and Baraboo School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Baraboo, Baraboo, Delton, Excelsior, Fairfield, Freedom, Greenfield, North Freedom and West Baraboo.
Where do Merrimac kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Baraboo High and Sauk Prairie High.
What is Merrimac’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Sauk Prairie School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Merrimac spend per student?
$13,945 in Sauk Prairie School District and $13,823 in Baraboo School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Merrimac families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Merrimac → 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.