Seneca’s public schools score below 65% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Seneca’s districts is 31%, below the Wisconsin average (38%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Seneca, 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.
Seneca’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1309 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Seneca’s, its schools beat 28%, 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
Wisconsin Rapids spends $15,119 per student and Port Edwards $13,678, 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 Seneca’s grade
C+: better than 35% 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 Seneca, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Seneca · depends on your address
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle
Grades 6–8 · 943 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
John Edwards Middle
Grades 6–8 · 89 students · 8:1 students per teacher · in Port Edwards
7th grade in Seneca · depends on your address
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle
Grades 6–8 · 943 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
John Edwards Middle
Grades 6–8 · 89 students · 8:1 students per teacher · in Port Edwards
8th grade in Seneca · depends on your address
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle
Grades 6–8 · 943 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
John Edwards Middle
Grades 6–8 · 89 students · 8:1 students per teacher · in Port Edwards
9th grade in Seneca · depends on your address
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
John Edwards High
Grades 9–12 · 144 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Port Edwards
10th grade in Seneca · depends on your address
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
John Edwards High
Grades 9–12 · 144 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Port Edwards
11th grade in Seneca · depends on your address
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
John Edwards High
Grades 9–12 · 144 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Port Edwards
12th grade in Seneca · depends on your address
Lincoln High
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Wisconsin Rapids
John Edwards High
Grades 9–12 · 144 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Port Edwards
Seneca runs its own schools through grade 12 (Wisconsin Rapids School District). From grade PK, students attend the Port Edwards School District, shared with Cranmoor and Port Edwards. Its elementary school is in Wisconsin Rapids. Parts of Seneca (11% of its land) are served by Pittsville instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Seneca
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
Seneca vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Seneca’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Seneca | C+ | Wisconsin Rapids PK–12 · Port Edwards PK–12 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | C+ | Wisconsin Rapids |
| Cranmoor | — | Port Edwards |
| Hansen | — | Wisconsin Rapids PK–12 · Pittsville PK–12 |
| Sigel | C+ | Wisconsin Rapids |
| Port Edwards | C− | Port Edwards |
| Port Edwards (town) | D− | Nekoosa |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Wisconsin Rapids with Seneca for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Seneca
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 Seneca’s schools
Are Seneca’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Seneca children attend score below 65% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Seneca in?
Two districts: Wisconsin Rapids School District runs grades PK–12, and Port Edwards School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Cranmoor and Port Edwards.
Where do Seneca kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Lincoln High and John Edwards High.
What is Seneca’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 Seneca spend per student?
$15,119 in Wisconsin Rapids School District and $13,678 in Port Edwards School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Seneca families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Seneca → 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.