Is Mellen Public School a good school?

Mellen Public School ranks 630 th of 1061 Wisconsin alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Mellen Public School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 270 students attended Mellen Public School.

What is the racial makeup of Mellen Public School?

Students at Mellen Public School are 89% White, 6% American Indian, 3% African American, 2% Hispanic.

Mellen Public School

Summary:

Mellen Public School is an alternative public school serving grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of 270 students in Mellen, Wisconsin. This school has seen fluctuations in its four-year graduation rate, ranging from 84.6% to 96.0%, and its dropout rate, ranging from 0.8% to 3.3%, over the past few years. The school has also experienced varying levels of chronic absenteeism, from 0.0% to 23.6%.

Mellen Public School's academic performance on the Forward Exam shows a mixed picture compared to the Mellen School District and the state of Wisconsin. While the school performs better than the district and state in some grade levels and subjects, it lags behind in others. Additionally, Mellen Public School has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 36.3% to 59.16%, suggesting it serves a population with greater socioeconomic needs. The school also maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.4 to 10.9 students per teacher.

The fluctuating graduation and dropout rates, as well as the concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, indicate areas that require further investigation and targeted interventions. The uneven academic performance across grade levels and subjects suggests the need for a comprehensive review of the school's curriculum, instructional practices, and support systems. The high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, coupled with the school's higher per-student spending, highlights the importance of allocating resources and implementing targeted support programs to address the specific challenges faced by the school's student population.

Detail:

Public, Alternative PK, KG-12

420 S Main St
Mellen, WI 54546

(715) 274-3601

District: Mellen School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
630^th of 1,061 Wisconsin Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,702

Student/teacher ratio: 10.4

Number of students: 270

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.3%

American Indian:

5.6%

African American:

2.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 40.4%

See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

Compare Mellen Public School to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Mellen Public School ranks worse than 59.4% of elementary schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 49.34. (See more...)

Compare Details Mellen Public School ranks worse than 55.7% of middle schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.12. (See more...)

Compare Details Mellen Public School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2015 the calculated Average Standard Score was 70.45. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Mellen Public School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (89.3%), American Indian (5.6%), African American (2.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 40.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mellen Public School is 10.4. (See more...)

Compare Mellen Public School employs 25.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mellen Public School is $14,702.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Mellen Public School:

SchoolDigger ranks Mellen Public School 630^th of 1061 Wisconsin public elementary schools. (See Mellen Public School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

SchoolDigger ranks Mellen Public School 357^th of 641 Wisconsin public middle schools. (See Mellen Public School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

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Your rating for Mellen Public School?

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Rank History for Mellen Public School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WI State Percentile
2015	39.82	771^st	1076	28.3%
2016	28.93	834^th	1075	22.4%
2017	31.31	816^th	1071	23.8%
2018	52.22	547^th	1025	46.6%
2019	52.15	547^th	1037	47.3%
2021	48.00	612^th	1050	41.7%
2022	39.78	724^th	1067	32.1%
2023	38.37	728^th	1067	31.8%
2024	49.34	630^th	1061	40.6%

See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WI State Percentile
2019	69.51	181^st	874	79.3%
2021	51.89	381^st	847	55.0%
2022	58.24	323^rd	859	62.4%
2023	49.82	437^th	871	49.8%
2024	66.82	216^th	866	75.1%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WI State Percentile
2018	60.65	407^th	997	59.2%
2019	45.07	621^st	1002	38.0%
2021	34.23	719^th	1004	28.4%
2022	35.26	732^nd	1017	28.0%
2023	27.65	789^th	1010	21.9%
2024	44.49	662^nd	1011	34.5%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WI State Percentile
2018	41.00	675^th	997	32.3%
2019	48.12	573^rd	1002	42.8%
2021	60.68	400^th	1003	60.1%
2022	50.47	554^th	1017	45.5%
2023	53.67	519^th	1011	48.7%
2024	54.39	527^th	1012	47.9%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mellen Public School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2015	38.49	441^st	612	27.9%
2016	36.58	428^th	609	29.7%
2017	40.40	399^th	612	34.8%
2018	35.78	428^th	579	26.1%
2019	33.96	439^th	594	26.1%
2021	44.29	370^th	613	39.6%
2022	25.54	499^th	617	19.1%
2023	18.22	546^th	640	14.7%
2024	50.12	357^th	641	44.3%

See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	61.01	108^th	417	74.1%
2023	17.72	436^th	439	0.7%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2019	53.60	198^th	487	59.3%
2021	56.17	183^rd	499	63.3%
2022	39.22	338^th	522	35.2%
2023	11.95	498^th	525	5.1%
2024	41.28	317^th	520	39.0%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2018	45.65	345^th	551	37.4%
2019	48.38	323^rd	557	42.0%
2021	42.61	363^rd	574	36.8%
2022	30.20	436^th	576	24.3%
2023	10.50	532^nd	579	8.1%
2024	35.43	416^th	580	28.3%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Mellen Public School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2018	23.76	463^rd	551	16.0%
2019	29.32	437^th	557	21.5%
2021	49.70	296^th	572	48.3%
2022	18.62	498^th	577	13.7%
2023	20.61	494^th	591	16.4%
2024	70.71	155^th	585	73.5%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mellen Public School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2015	70.45	117^th	466	74.9%

See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Mellen Public School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Two or More Races	Total
2014	251	6	3	3	13	1	277
2015	255	4	4	5	13	1	282
2016	248	6	4	5	8	1	272
2017	255	7	4	4	8	0	278
2018	266	10	3	4	14	1	298
2019	247	5	4	3	11	1	271
2020	258	7	3	4	11	0	283
2021	238	7	3	4	10	0	262
2022	243	5	2	7	12	1	270
2023	241	7	2	5	15	0	270

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mellen Public School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2014	277	23.8	11.6	46.2
2015	282	n/a	n/a	51.4
2016	272	20.0	13.6	52.9
2017	278	23.9	11.6	57.2
2018	298	23.3	12.7	61.1
2019	271	23.8	11.3	55.7
2020	283	23.8	11.8	58
2021	262	24.7	10.6	59.2
2022	270	24.7	10.9	36.3
2023	270	25.8	10.4	40.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mellen Public School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2014	277	23.8	11.6	46.2
2015	282	n/a	n/a	51.4
2016	272	20.0	13.6	52.9
2017	278	23.9	11.6	57.2
2018	298	23.3	12.7	61.1
2019	271	23.8	11.3	55.7
2020	283	23.8	11.8	58
2021	262	24.7	10.6	59.2
2022	270	24.7	10.9	36.3
2023	270	25.8	10.4	40.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mellen Public School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,022 (7.6%)	$12,367 (92.4%)	$13,389
2020	$708 (5.8%)	$11,448 (94.2%)	$12,155
2021	$1,492 (10.1%)	$13,211 (89.9%)	$14,702

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mellen Public School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 547^th of 1037 Elementary schools	Ranks 728^th of 1067 Elementary schools	15.5%
Ranks 439^th of 594 Middle schools	Ranks 546^th of 640 Middle schools	11.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mellen Public School)	61.5	38.9	22.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mellen School District)	61.5	38.9	22.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	39.5	37.9	1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mellen Public School)	76.9	55.6	21.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mellen School District)	76.9	55.6	21.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	50.5	48.8	1.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen Public School)	34.6	27.3	7.3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen School District)	34.6	27.3	7.3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	43.9	45.8	1.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mellen Public School)	53.9	50	3.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mellen School District)	53.9	50	3.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	46.2	46.5	0.2%
4th Grade Social Studies (Mellen Public School)	50	45.5	4.5%
4th Grade Social Studies (Mellen School District)	50	45.5	4.5%
4th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)	53.4	59.7	6.4%
4th Grade Science (Mellen Public School)	50	50
4th Grade Science (Mellen School District)	50	50
4th Grade Science (Wisconsin)	53.9	52.1	1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen Public School)	47.4	26.3	21.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen School District)	47.4	26.3	21.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	40.9	39.2	1.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mellen Public School)	68.4	36.8	31.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mellen School District)	68.4	36.8	31.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	47.8	48.4	0.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen Public School)	16.7	29.4	12.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen School District)	16.7	29.4	12.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	41.7	40.6	1.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mellen Public School)	33.3	11.8	21.6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mellen School District)	33.3	11.8	21.6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	43.5	42.6	0.9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen Public School)	26.7	35.7	9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen School District)	26.7	35.7	9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	45.5	41.1	4.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mellen Public School)	26.7	21.4	5.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mellen School District)	26.7	21.4	5.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	39.7	35.7	4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen Public School)	17.9	12.5	5.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mellen School District)	17.9	12.5	5.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	37.3	37.8	0.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mellen Public School)	17.9	0	17.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mellen School District)	17.9	0	17.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	36.5	31.8	4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Mellen Public School)	60.7	41.7	19%
8th Grade Social Studies (Mellen School District)	60.7	41.7	19%
8th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)	52.1	59.2	7.1%
8th Grade Science (Mellen Public School)	60.7	25	35.7%
8th Grade Science (Mellen School District)	60.7	25	35.7%
8th Grade Science (Wisconsin)	54.6	49.4	5.3%
10th Grade Social Studies (Mellen Public School)	54.2	55.6	1.4%
10th Grade Social Studies (Mellen School District)	54.2	55.6	1.4%
10th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)	45.9	47.2	1.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	271	270	0.4%
African American	5	7	40%
American Indian	11	15	36.4%
Asian	4	2	50%
Hispanic	3	5	66.7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	247	241	2.4%
Two or More Races	1	0	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	55.7%	40.4%	15.3%

Schools Near Mellen Public School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				Forward Exam English Language Arts (2024)						Forward Exam Mathematics (2024)						Forward Exam Social Studies (2024)			Forward Exam Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2021)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	Forward Exam English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 4th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 5th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 6th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 7th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 8th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 3rd Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 4th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 5th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 6th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 7th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 4th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 10th Grade	Forward Exam Science 4th Grade	Forward Exam Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Mellen Public School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	420 S Main St	Mellen	54546	Ashland County	Mellen School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 274-3601	270	26	10.4	40.4%	241 (89.3%)	7 (2.6%)	5 (1.9%)	2 (0.7%)	15 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	25.0	66.7	68.2	43.5	64.3	40.0	55.0	38.9	45.5	58.3	50.0	40.0	61.1	73.3	55.0	61.1	46.7	$14,702	$1,492	$13,211

Mellen Public School

Mellen Public School:

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

What do you think?

Rank History for Mellen Public School

Rank History for all elementary school students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for Mellen Public School

Rank History for all middle school students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for middle school Female students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for middle school Male students at Mellen Public School

Rank History for Mellen Public School

Enrollment information for Mellen Public School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mellen Public School

Student/Teacher Ratio Mellen Public School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mellen Public School

Impact of COVID-19 on Mellen Public School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Mellen Public School