Shell Lake’s public schools score below 54% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Shell Lake, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. 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 97% 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.
Shell Lake’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 728 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Shell Lake’s, its schools beat 65%, higher than their 46% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 38% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,985 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one middle school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Shell Lake Elementary (3-6), then Shell Lake Junior/Senior 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 Shell Lake’s grade
B−: better than 46% of Wisconsin school districts. Test scores are above the Wisconsin average; there is no graduation rate to add.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Shell Lake, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Primary (K-2)
Grades PK–2 · 131 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Primary (K-2)
Grades PK–2 · 131 students · 9:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Primary (K-2)
Grades PK–2 · 131 students · 9:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Primary (K-2)
Grades PK–2 · 131 students · 9:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)
Grades 3–6 · 153 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)
Grades 3–6 · 153 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)
Grades 3–6 · 153 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)
Grades 3–6 · 153 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 300 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 300 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 300 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 300 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 300 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Shell Lake
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High
Grades 7–12 · 300 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Shell Lake’s public schools are run by Shell Lake School District, which also serves Barronett, Bashaw, Beaver Brook and Dewey 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.
Close to the state in reading
Shell Lake vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Shell Lake’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Lake | B− | Shell Lake |
| Bashaw | B− | Shell Lake PK–12 · Spooner Area PK–12 |
| Barronett | — | Shell Lake |
| Beaver Brook | — | Spooner Area PK–12 · Shell Lake PK–12 |
All 3 neighbors share Shell Lake with Shell Lake, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Shell Lake
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 Shell Lake’s schools
Are Shell Lake’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Shell Lake children attend score below 54% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Shell Lake in?
Shell Lake School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 584 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
How much does Shell Lake spend per student?
$15,985 in Shell Lake School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Shell Lake families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Shell Lake → 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.