Polk County Schools & Education

Polk County, Wisconsin

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

77/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

Graduation Rate

95.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

95.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 91.8%

Per-Pupil Spending

$8,193

National avg $13,239

State avg $8,113

School Score

77/100

Higher = better

State avg 65/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#12

of 72 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Polk County

School Verdict

Polk County is a high-performing district with a school score of 77/100 and a graduation rate of 95.0%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.

Funding Context

Polk County spends $8,193 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Polk County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 19% above the Wisconsin average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Polk County, Wisconsin

A Wide-Reaching Rural Education Network

Polk County supports 6,694 students through a network of 26 public schools spread across 8 districts. The infrastructure consists of 11 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 8 high schools that serve the region's widely dispersed population.

High Graduation Rates and Efficient Spending

The county boasts an impressive 95.0% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than the 87.0% national average. While the per-pupil expenditure of $8,193 is lower than the national average, the county's school score of 58.7 remains above the Wisconsin state average.

Traditional Districts Lead the Way

The Osceola School District is the largest in the county, enrolling 1,594 students across four schools. Traditional public districts dominate the landscape, as there are currently no charter schools operating within the county's boundaries.

Small-Town Feel in Every Classroom

With 22 of its 26 schools located in rural settings, education here feels intimate and community-focused. The average school size is just 257 students, with Osceola High standing as the largest institution with 551 students.

Invest in a Community with Academic Success

For families seeking high graduation rates and small school sizes, Polk County is a compelling choice. Explore homes in the Osceola or Amery districts to take advantage of this high-performing education system.

School Overview

Total Schools

26

in Polk County

Total Enrollment

6,694

students

School Districts

8

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary11
Middle7
High8
Other0

8 School Districts in Polk County

Osceola School District

4 schools
1,594 students

Amery School District

4 schools
1,397 students

Saint Croix Falls School District

4 schools
1,075 students

Unity School District

3 schools
954 students

Clear Lake School District

3 schools
565 students

Frederic School District

2 schools
429 students

Luck School District

3 schools
394 students

Clayton School District

3 schools
286 students

26 Public Schools in Polk County

Osceola High

Osceola School District

9–12High551 students
Amery High

Amery School District

9–12High465 students
Osceola Elementary

Osceola School District

PK–2Primary397 students
Unity Elementary

Unity School District

PK–4Primary396 students
Lien Elementary

Amery School District

PK–3Primary347 students
Saint Croix Falls Elementary

Saint Croix Falls School District

PK–4Primary347 students
Saint Croix Falls High

Saint Croix Falls School District

9–12High342 students
Osceola Middle

Osceola School District

6–8Middle339 students
Saint Croix Falls Middle

Saint Croix Falls School District

5–8Middle332 students
Osceola Intermediate

Osceola School District

3–5Primary307 students
Amery Middle

Amery School District

6–8Middle300 students
Unity High

Unity School District

9–12High296 students
Amery Intermediate

Amery School District

3–5Primary285 students
Gaylord A Nelson Educational Center

Clear Lake School District

PK–6Primary284 students
Unity Middle

Unity School District

5–8Middle262 students
Frederic 6-12 School

Frederic School District

6–12High221 students
Frederic Elementary

Frederic School District

PK–5Primary208 students
Luck Elementary

Luck School District

PK–5Primary190 students
Clear Lake High

Clear Lake School District

9–12High181 students
Clayton Elementary

Clayton School District

PK–5Primary137 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$8,193

State avg $8,113

Find Homes Near Top Schools

Browse homes in Polk County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.

Search on Zillow →

Find a Tutor in Polk County

Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.

Find a Tutor →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Polk County rate?
Polk County has a school score of 77/100, which is considered high performing. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Polk County?
The high school graduation rate in Polk County is 95.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Polk County spend per student?
Polk County spends $8,193 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Polk County, Wisconsin — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Polk County, Wisconsin?

Polk County supports 6,694 students through a network of 26 public schools spread across 8 districts. The infrastructure consists of 11 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 8 high schools that serve the region's widely dispersed population.

How do schools in Polk County perform academically?

The county boasts an impressive 95.0% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than the 87.0% national average. While the per-pupil expenditure of $8,193 is lower than the national average, the county's school score of 58.7 remains above the Wisconsin state average.

What are the major school districts in Polk County, Wisconsin?

The Osceola School District is the largest in the county, enrolling 1,594 students across four schools. Traditional public districts dominate the landscape, as there are currently no charter schools operating within the county's boundaries.

What is the school experience like in Polk County?

With 22 of its 26 schools located in rural settings, education here feels intimate and community-focused. The average school size is just 257 students, with Osceola High standing as the largest institution with 551 students.

How can I find homes near good schools in Polk County, Wisconsin?

For families seeking high graduation rates and small school sizes, Polk County is a compelling choice. Explore homes in the Osceola or Amery districts to take advantage of this high-performing education system.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.