Iron County Schools & Education
Iron County, Wisconsin
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
65/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,792
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,113
School Score
65/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 65/100
State Score Position
#41
of 72 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Iron County
Measured School Summary
Iron County performs at an average level with a school score of 65/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.3%.
Funding Context
Iron County spends $8,792 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 0% above the Wisconsin average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Iron County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
3 public schools and 2 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
65/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #41 of 72 Wisconsin counties with school score data.
Completion
90.3%
1.5 pts below the state average
Funding context
$8,792
$679 above the state average
School coverage
3
2 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Iron County has 3 public schools across 2 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Iron County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Small-system county
Iron County has a compact public-school footprint. A single school change, boundary rule, or district update can move the lived experience more than the county score suggests.
State position
#41
of 72 Wisconsin counties with school score data. The county score is roughly in line with the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Hurley School District
Elementary and high visible
546 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
Mercer School District
Other grade structure
121 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
Hurley School District is the largest listed district slice, with 2 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Iron County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Iron County district systems?
Where do students transition after the visible grade band, and is that next school inside the same district path?
If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Iron County, Wisconsin
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Focused and Intimate Learning Environments
Iron County operates a compact educational system with just three public schools serving 667 total students. These schools are managed by two districts, focusing heavily on rural community connection.
Hurley School District Anchors the County
The Hurley School District is the primary provider, enrolling 546 students across two schools. The Mercer School District operates a single PK-12 facility that serves 121 students, offering a unique all-in-one campus experience.
Small Schools in Deeply Rural Settings
All schools in Iron County are classified as rural, with an average size of 222 students per building. Hurley High is the largest at 324 students, while the Mercer School offers a remarkably small, close-knit environment for 121 students.
School Overview
Total Schools
3
in Iron County
Reported Enrollment
667
3 schools reporting
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
2 School Districts in Iron County
Hurley School District
Mercer School District
3 Public Schools in Iron County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 3 of 3 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurley High | Record | Hurley School District | Hurley, 54534Rural: Fringe | 6–12 | High | 324 |
| Hurley Elementary | Record | Hurley School District | Hurley, 54534Rural: Fringe | PK–5 | Primary | 222 |
| Mercer School | Record | Mercer School District | Mercer, 54547Rural: Remote | PK–12 | Other | 121 |
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,792
State avg $8,113
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Iron County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Wisconsin counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Wisconsin?
How should I read the school score in Iron County?
What is the graduation rate in Iron County?
How much does Iron County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Iron County, Wisconsin — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Iron County, Wisconsin?
Iron County operates a compact educational system with just three public schools serving 667 total students. These schools are managed by two districts, focusing heavily on rural community connection.
What are the major school districts in Iron County, Wisconsin?
The Hurley School District is the primary provider, enrolling 546 students across two schools. The Mercer School District operates a single PK-12 facility that serves 121 students, offering a unique all-in-one campus experience.
What is the school experience like in Iron County?
All schools in Iron County are classified as rural, with an average size of 222 students per building. Hurley High is the largest at 324 students, while the Mercer School offers a remarkably small, close-knit environment for 121 students.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.