Pelican’s public schools score below 62% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Pelican’s districts is 31%, below the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pelican, 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 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.
Pelican’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 894 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pelican’s, its schools beat 52%, higher than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% 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 Pelican’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,351 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 James Williams Middle, then Rhinelander High. 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 Pelican’s grade
C+: better than 38% of Wisconsin school districts, #272 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 Pelican, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Pelican
Pelican Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 263 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
Kindergarten in Pelican
Pelican Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 263 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
1st grade in Pelican
Pelican Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 263 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
2nd grade in Pelican
Pelican Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 263 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
3rd grade in Pelican
Pelican Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 263 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
4th grade in Pelican
Pelican Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 263 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
5th grade in Pelican
Pelican Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 263 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
6th grade in Pelican
James Williams Middle
Grades 6–8 · 454 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
7th grade in Pelican
James Williams Middle
Grades 6–8 · 454 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
8th grade in Pelican
James Williams Middle
Grades 6–8 · 454 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
9th grade in Pelican
Rhinelander High
Grades 9–12 · 757 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
10th grade in Pelican
Rhinelander High
Grades 9–12 · 757 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Rhinelander
Pelican’s public schools are run by Rhinelander School District, which also serves Cassian, Crescent, Harrison and Newbold 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.
Well below the state in reading
Pelican vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Pelican’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pelican | C+ | Rhinelander |
| Rhinelander | C+ | Rhinelander |
| Stella | — | Rhinelander |
| Enterprise | — | Elcho |
| Monico | — | Three Lakes |
| Crescent | C+ | Rhinelander |
| Pine Lake | C+ | Rhinelander |
4 of the 6 neighbors share Rhinelander with Pelican, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Pelican
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).
Questions about Pelican’s schools
Are Pelican’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Pelican children attend score below 62% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #272 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 52%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pelican in?
Rhinelander School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,224 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pelican kids go to high school?
Rhinelander High in Rhinelander, with 757 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Pelican’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Rhinelander School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Pelican spend per student?
$17,351 in Rhinelander School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Pelican families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pelican → 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.