For the 2025 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 9,622 students in Columbia County, WI (there are , serving 1,117 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Columbia County, WI are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbia County, WI are Discovery Charter School, Fall River Elementary School and Poynette Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, WI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 38% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Wisconsin public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public school average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best 51±¬ÁÏs in Columbia County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Discovery Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Fuller St
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: K-3 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Fall River Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
150 Bradley St
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Gr: PK-5 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Poynette Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
225 W North St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Gr: PK-4 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Pardeeville High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Gr: 9-12 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Portage Academy Of Achievement
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2505 New Pinery Rd
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Gr: 9-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Lewiston Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
W11195 State Road 127
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2524
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2524
Gr: K-5 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #77.
Poynette Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
108 N Cleveland St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Gr: 5-8 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Spring Hill Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 Vine St
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-2468
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-2468
Gr: PK-5 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #99.
Lodi High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1100 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Gr: 9-12 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Lodi Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
900 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3854
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3854
Gr: 6-8 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1111.
Rio Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
355 Lowville Rd
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3143
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3143
Gr: PK-5 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1212.
Ouisconsing School Of Collaboration
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 School St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Gr: 3-5 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1313.
Poynette High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
108 N Cleveland St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Gr: 9-12 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1414.
Cambria Friesland Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
410 E Edgewater St
Cambria, WI 53923
(920) 348-5548
Cambria, WI 53923
(920) 348-5548
Gr: PK-5 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1515.
Fall River High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
150 Bradley St
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Gr: 6-12 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1616.
Portage High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 E Collins St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-8545
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-8545
Gr: 6-12 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1717.
Lodi Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 School St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Gr: 3-5 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1818.
Wisconsin Dells Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
520 Race St
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-2467
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-2467
Gr: 6-8 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1919.
Muir Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Woodcrest Dr
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5531
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5531
Gr: 2-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2020.
Columbus Intermediate
(Math: 40% | Reading: 33% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 S Dickason Blvd
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: 3-5 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2121.
Rusch Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
117 W Franklin St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-7376
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-7376
Gr: K-5 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2222.
Pardeeville Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
503 E Chestnut St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2151
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2151
Gr: PK-4 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Columbus High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1164 Farnham St
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: 9-12 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Wisconsin Dells High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1501 Brew Farm Rd
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-1461
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-1461
Gr: 9-12 | 577 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2525.
Pardeeville Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Gr: 5-8 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2626.
Wayne Bartels Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2505 New Pinery Rd
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Gr: 6-8 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2727.
Columbus Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 Fuller St
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: PK-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2828.
Rio Middle/high
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
411 Church St
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3141
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3141
Gr: 6-12 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2929.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 S Dickason Blvd
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Gr: 6-8 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3030.
Cambria Friesland Middle/high
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
410 E Edgewater St
Cambria, WI 53923
(920) 348-5548
Cambria, WI 53923
(920) 348-5548
Gr: 6-12 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: n/an/a
Columbia Correctional Institution
Alternative School
2925 Columbia Dr
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-9100
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-9100
Gr: 11-12 | 4 students
Rank: n/an/a
1307 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3855
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3855
Gr: PK-2 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: n/an/a
305 E Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Gr: PK | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
333 E Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3494
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3494
Gr: K-1 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Columbia County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
110 S Elm St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-9939
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-9939
Gr: PK | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
N5194 State Rd 78
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2601
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2601
Gr: 1-6 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
W8349 Dumke Rd
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-6016
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-6016
Gr: K-6 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Gibraltar Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
1100 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Gr: 9-10 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
520 Race St
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-1461
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-1461
Gr: 9-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
103 Pleasant St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3855
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3855
Gr: PK | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
W6180 School Rd
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-3412
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-3412
Gr: 5 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Gr: 9-12 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
301 E Collins St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Gr: 6-12 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 13%
River Crossing Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
191 East Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3764
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3764
Gr: 7-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
222 W Pearl St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 583-2091
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 583-2091
Gr: PK-5 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbia County, WI?
The top ranked public schools in Columbia County, WI include Discovery Charter School, Fall River Elementary School and Poynette Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia County?
34 public schools are located in Columbia County.
What percentage of students in Columbia County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Columbia County are educated in public schools (compared to the WI state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public schools average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbia County include: Columbus High School vs. Fall River High School, Fall River High School vs. Columbus High School, Pardeeville High School vs. Poynette High School
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