Tainter’s public schools outscore 59% of Wisconsin districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Tainter, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 43% of Tainter’s students scored proficient, above the Wisconsin average (39%). 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.
Tainter’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 40% and math 43% across both districts in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Colfax spends $15,671 per student and Menomonie Area $16,234, 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 Tainter’s grade
B: better than 59% of Wisconsin school districts, #190 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Wisconsin average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Tainter, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Tainter · depends on your address
Menomonie Middle
Grades 6–8 · 730 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Menomonie
Colfax Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 398 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Colfax
7th grade in Tainter · depends on your address
Menomonie Middle
Grades 6–8 · 730 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Menomonie
Colfax High
Grades 7–12 · 318 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Colfax
8th grade in Tainter · depends on your address
Menomonie Middle
Grades 6–8 · 730 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Menomonie
Colfax High
Grades 7–12 · 318 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Colfax
9th grade in Tainter · depends on your address
Menomonie High
Grades 9–12 · 966 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Menomonie
Colfax High
Grades 7–12 · 318 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Colfax
10th grade in Tainter · depends on your address
Menomonie High
Grades 9–12 · 966 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Menomonie
Colfax High
Grades 7–12 · 318 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Colfax
11th grade in Tainter · depends on your address
Menomonie High
Grades 9–12 · 966 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Menomonie
Colfax High
Grades 7–12 · 318 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Colfax
12th grade in Tainter · depends on your address
Menomonie High
Grades 9–12 · 966 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Menomonie
Colfax High
Grades 7–12 · 318 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Colfax
Tainter runs its own schools through grade 12 (Colfax School District). From grade PK, students attend the Menomonie Area School District, shared with Dunn, Knapp, Lucas, Menomonie, Menomonie, Red Cedar, Sherman, Spring Brook and Weston. Its elementary school is in Menomonie. Parts of Tainter (16% of its land) are served by Boyceville instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Tainter
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
Tainter vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Tainter’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Tainter | B | Colfax PK–12 · Menomonie Area PK–12 |
| Colfax | — | Colfax |
| Sherman | — | Boyceville PK–12 · Menomonie Area PK–12 |
| Otter Creek | — | Colfax |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Colfax with Tainter for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Tainter
8 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 Tainter’s schools
Are Tainter’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Wisconsin: the public schools Tainter children attend outscore 59% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #190 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 55%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Tainter in?
Two districts: Colfax School District runs grades PK–12, and Menomonie Area School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Dunn, Knapp, Lucas, Menomonie, Menomonie, Red Cedar, Sherman, Spring Brook and Weston.
What is Tainter’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Menomonie Area School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Tainter spend per student?
$15,671 in Colfax School District and $16,234 in Menomonie Area School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Tainter families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tainter → 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.