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, Lewiston Elementary School and Poynette Middle 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 40% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 38% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 6/10, 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 Public Schools in Columbia County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-3
| 76 students
Rank: #22.
Lewiston Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
W11195 State Road 127
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2524
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2524
Grades: K-5
| 83 students
Rank: #33.
Poynette Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
108 N Cleveland St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Grades: 5-8
| 278 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 20 students
Rank: #55.
Poynette Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
225 W North St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Grades: PK-4
| 411 students
Rank: #66.
Spring Hill Elementary School
(Math: 54% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 654 students
Rank: #77.
Fall River Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
150 Bradley St
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Grades: PK-5
| 229 students
Rank: #88.
Pardeeville High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Grades: 9-12
| 274 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Fall River High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
150 Bradley St
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Fall River, WI 53932
(920) 484-3333
Grades: 6-12
| 267 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Lodi High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1100 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Grades: 9-12
| 451 students
Rank: #1111.
Rio Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
355 Lowville Rd
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3143
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3143
Grades: PK-5
| 170 students
Rank: #1212.
Lodi Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 School St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Grades: 3-5
| 239 students
Rank: #1313.
Lodi Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
900 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3854
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3854
Grades: 6-8
| 326 students
Rank: #1414.
Cambria Friesland Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 153 students
Rank: #1515.
Poynette High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
108 N Cleveland St
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Grades: 9-12
| 300 students
Rank: #1616.
Muir Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Woodcrest Dr
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5531
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5531
Grades: 2-5
| 465 students
Rank: #1717.
Columbus High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1164 Farnham St
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Grades: 9-12
| 370 students
Rank: #1818.
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
Grades: 3-5
| 210 students
Rank: #1919.
Wisconsin Dells Middle School
(Math: 39% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 378 students
Rank: #2020.
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
Grades: K-5
| 198 students
Rank: #2121.
Pardeeville Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
503 E Chestnut St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2151
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2151
Grades: PK-4
| 330 students
Rank: #2222.
Portage High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
301 E Collins St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-8545
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-8545
Grades: 6-12
| 647 students
Rank: #2323.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 577 students
Rank: #2424.
Pardeeville Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Grades: 5-8
| 258 students
Rank: #2525.
Wayne Bartels Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2505 New Pinery Rd
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2165
Grades: 6-8
| 409 students
Rank: #2626.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 S Dickason Blvd
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Columbus, WI 53925
(920) 623-5950
Grades: 6-8
| 243 students
Rank: #2727.
Ouisconsing School Of Collaboration
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
101 School St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3842
Grades: 3-5
| 75 students
Rank: #2828.
Rio Middle/high
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
411 Church St
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3141
Rio, WI 53960
(920) 992-3141
Grades: 6-12
| 187 students
Rank: #2929.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 438 students
Rank: #3030.
Cambria Friesland Middle/high
(Math: 20-24% | 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
Grades: 6-12
| 160 students
Rank: n/an/a
Columbia Correctional Institution
Alternative School
2925 Columbia Dr
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-9100
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-9100
Grades: 11-12
| 4 students
Rank: n/an/a
305 E Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Grades: PK
| 145 students
Rank: n/an/a
333 E Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3494
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3494
Grades: K-1
| 201 students
Columbia County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
307 Bullen Rd
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Grades: PK-K
| n/a students
110 S Elm St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-9939
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-9939
Grades: PK
| 8 students
N5194 State Rd 78
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2601
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2601
Grades: 1-6
| 44 students
W8460 Bilkie Rd
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4347
Grades: K-2
| n/a students
W8349 Dumke Rd
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-6016
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-6016
Grades: K-6
| 64 students
Gibraltar Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
1100 Sauk St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 592-3853
Grades: 9-10
| 5 students
520 Race St
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-1461
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 253-1461
Grades: 9-12
| 20 students
W6180 School Rd
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-3412
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-3412
Grades: 5
| 67 students
120 Oak St
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Pardeeville, WI 53954
(608) 429-2153
Grades: 9-12
| 290 students
301 E Collins St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-4879
Grades: 6-12
| 30 students
River Crossing Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
191 East Slifer St
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3764
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-3764
Grades: 7-8
| 13 students
222 W Pearl St
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 583-2091
Lodi, WI 53555
(608) 583-2091
Grades: PK-5
| 70 students
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, Lewiston Elementary School and Poynette Middle 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
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
