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Schools in Portland · Waterloo School District

Portland’s public schools score below 78% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

In Portland, 25% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Portland, 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 98% 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
30%
▼ 8 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
25%
▼ 14 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▼ 0–4 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.2K
▲ 4% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.6
WI 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
631 students on the public path
In brief

Portland’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin (the state reports Portland’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,167 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 7 the district’s path is Waterloo Middle, then Waterloo 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Portland’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 22% of Wisconsin school districts. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1334)Better than 18%
Towns in Dodge County (23)Better than 0%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 388 test results and a graduating class of 69 could put Portland anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Portland’s students in the tested grades sat them (388 in math, 389 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–4Waterloo Elementaryin WaterlooC
7–8Waterloo Middlein WaterlooC−
9–12Waterloo Highin WaterlooB−

Portland’s public schools are run by Waterloo School District, which also serves Lowell, Waterloo and Waterloo. Parts of Portland (8% of its land) are served by Columbus 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.

Waterloo School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 745 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 12.6 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$17,167WI $16,459 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading30%
State average 38.1% · 389 students tested
Math25%
State average 38.7% · 388 students tested

Portland vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PortlandC−Waterloo
ElbaB−Columbus
York—Columbus PK–12 · Marshall PK–12
Waterloo—Waterloo PK–12 · Lake Mills Area PK–12
LowellC+Dodgeland PK–12 · Waterloo PK–12
Shields—Watertown
Waterloo (city)C−Waterloo

3 of the 6 neighbors share Waterloo with Portland, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Portland

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 Portlandin other towns
Waterloo Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Waterloo
C
281 students11:1Rate it →
Waterloo Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Waterloo
C−
118 students15:1Rate it →
Waterloo High
High · Grades 9–12 · Waterloo
B−
232 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Portland’s schools

Are Portland’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Portland children attend score below 78% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Portland in?

Waterloo School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 745 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Portland are served by Columbus.

Where do Portland kids go to high school?

Waterloo High in Waterloo, with 232 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Portland’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Waterloo School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.

How much does Portland spend per student?

$17,167 in Waterloo School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Portland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Portland → 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.