Total enrollment
2,351
-130 (-5%) vs SY 2020-21
Ashland County
Wisconsin · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Ashland County number 11 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 214 students per school. By grade band, the county runs 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Ashland County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Ashland County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Wisconsin | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 41.0% | #63 of 67 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,352 | #57 of 70 | #2,068 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 11 | #53 of 70 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.5:1 | #28 of 70 | #688 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 55.8% | #6 of 70 | #1,307 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 44.8% | #17 of 70 | #1,299 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Ashland County school rankings
Residents
16,080
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
5 districts
Enrollment
2,352
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$62,462
Below Wisconsin avg
Free/reduced lunch
55.9%
Above Wisconsin avg
Elementary
5
907 students
Middle
2
511 students
High
3
682 students
Combined / other
1
252 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Ashland School District
1,759 students · 5 districts in Ashland County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Ashland County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
24.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.8%
civilian labor
Median age
43
20.7% under 18
Test scores in Ashland County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Wisconsin state average: 53.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Butternut Elementary· 63.2%
- Butternut High· 57.5%
- Mellen Public School· 49.5%
- Marengo Valley Elementary· 45.0%
- Lake Superior Elementary· 37.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Ashland Middle· 36.6%
- Chequamegon Middle· 36.6%
- Lake Superior Elementary· 37.1%
- Marengo Valley Elementary· 45.0%
- Mellen Public School· 49.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior Elementary | Ashland | Elementary | PK-05 | 603 | · |
| Ashland High | Ashland | High | 09-12 | 589 | · |
| Ashland Middle | Ashland | Middle | 06-08 | 383 | · |
| Mellen Public School | Mellen | Combined | PK-12 | 252 | · |
| Marengo Valley Elementary | Ashland | Elementary | PK-05 | 184 | · |
| Chequamegon Middle | Glidden | Middle | 06-08 | 128 | · |
| Butternut High | Butternut | High | 06-12 | 92 | · |
| Butternut Elementary | Butternut | Elementary | PK-05 | 84 | · |
| Glidden Elementary | Glidden | Elementary | PK-02 | 25 | · |
| La Pointe Elementary | La Pointe | Elementary | KG-06 | 11 | · |
| Promethean Charter School | Butternut | High | 09-12 | 1 | · |
Cities in Ashland County
About Ashland County
Ashland County is a thinly populated Wisconsin county of about 16,080 residents, home to 11 public schools and roughly 2,352 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $62,462, 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 8%. That income level is 15% noticeably below the Wisconsin median.
In terms of grade levels, Ashland County spans 5 elementary schools (907 students), 2 middle schools (511), 3 high schools (682), and 1 combined or other schools.
Ashland School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,759 students across Ashland County.
Trend over the past 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,351 students, contracted 5% from the 2,481 reported in SY 2020-21.
On this page, the community for Ashland County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data