SC Wisconsin News

White students were the most represented ethnic group within Columbia County schools in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Of the 8,492 students attending Columbia County schools, 83.9% were white. Hispanic students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 9.4% of Columbia County students.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Columbia County, representing 84.7% of the student body.

Countywide, Cambria Friesland Elementary School had the most even distribution of races, which included 74.6% white students, 20.6% Hispanic students, 2.4% multiracial students, 1.8% Black students, and 0.6% Asian students.

In the 2024-25 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county dropped 1.6% compared to the previous year.

Wisconsin ranks 22nd in the U.S. for public education spending, with an annual expenditure of over $16,500 per pupil, totaling $13.8 billion.

School Name	Most Represented Ethnicity	Percent of Total Student Body	Total Enrollment
Cambria Friesland Elementary School	White	74.6%	165
Cambria Friesland Middle/High School	White	78.5%	163
Columbus Elementary School	White	81.9%	425
Columbus High School	White	85.9%	383
Columbus Middle School	White	80.1%	241
Discovery Charter School	White	81.7%	71
Fall River Elementary School	White	84.4%	231
Fall River High School	White	85.4%	253
Lewiston Elementary School	White	92.9%	84
Lodi Elementary School	White	93.6%	234
Lodi High School	White	90.1%	444
Lodi Middle School	White	88.9%	324
Lodi Primary School	White	92.7%	385
Muir Elementary School	White	77%	439
Ouisconsing School of Collaboration	White	83.8%	74
Pardeeville Elementary School	White	92.2%	331
Pardeeville High School	White	93.7%	284
Pardeeville Middle School	White	94.8%	248
Portage Academy of Achievement	White	87.5%	24
Portage High School	White	82.7%	600
Portage Partnering Preschool	White	79.1%	129
Poynette Elementary School	White	92.3%	416
Poynette High School	White	91.9%	296
Poynette Middle School	White	90.4%	271
Rio Elementary School	White	94.1%	169
Rio Middle/High School	White	91.3%	183
Spring Hill Elementary School	White	66.6%	628
Wayne Bartels Middle School	White	78%	422
Wisconsin Dells Middle School	White	66.8%	374
Woodridge Elementary School	White	71.6%	201