SC Wisconsin News

Among the many ethnicities represented in Columbia County schools, white was the most prevalent ethnicity among students in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Of the 8,633 students attending Columbia County schools, 84.7% were white. Hispanic students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 8.5% of Columbia County students.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Columbia County, representing 85.6% of the student body.

Countywide, Cambria Friesland Elementary School had the most even distribution of races, which included 79.1% white students, 17% Hispanic students, 2% Black students, 1.3% multiracial students, and 0.7% Asian students.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county dropped 0.7% compared to the previous year.

According to the NAEP's 2022 results, there was a significant achievement gap between ethnic groups in Wisconsin. On average, white students outperformed Black students by 40 to 50 points in mathematics and reading. Hispanic students also scored lower than their white peers in both subjects, with an average gap of about 20 points.

School Name	Most Represented Ethnicity	Percent of Total Student Body	Total Enrollment
Cambria Friesland Elementary School	White	79.1%	153
Cambria Friesland Middle/High School	White	80.6%	160
Columbus Elementary School	White	83.6%	438
Columbus High School	White	87%	370
Columbus Middle School	White	81.1%	243
Discovery Charter School	White	86.8%	76
Fall River Elementary School	White	85.2%	229
Fall River High School	White	86.9%	267
Lewiston Elementary School	White	94%	83
Lodi Elementary School	White	87.5%	239
Lodi High School	White	90%	451
Lodi Middle School	White	91.4%	326
Lodi Primary School	White	92.2%	396
Muir Elementary School	White	76.6%	465
Ouisconsing School of Collaboration	White	86.7%	75
Pardeeville Elementary School	White	92.4%	330
Pardeeville High School	White	93.1%	274
Pardeeville Middle School	White	93%	258
Portage Academy of Achievement	White	85%	20
Portage High School	White	83.3%	647
Portage Partnering Preschool	White	87.6%	145
Poynette Elementary School	White	91.5%	411
Poynette High School	White	93%	300
Poynette Middle School	White	92.1%	278
Rio Elementary School	White	95.3%	170
Rio Middle/High School	White	91.4%	187
Spring Hill Elementary School	White	66.8%	654
Wayne Bartels Middle School	White	81.2%	409
Wisconsin Dells Middle School	White	68%	378
Woodridge Elementary School	White	77.1%	201