📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (Forward Exam 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 7 Rated Districts in Columbia County, WI
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Poynette School District | Poynette | 9/10 Excellent | 87th |
| #2 | Lodi School District | Lodi | 8/10 Good | 76th |
| #3 | Fall River School District | Fall River | 7/10 Good | 63rd |
| #4 | Rio Community School District | Rio | 6/10 Average | 56th |
| #5 | Cambria-Friesland School District | Cambria | 5/10 Average | 44th |
| #6 | Pardeeville Area School District | Pardeeville | 4/10 Below Average | 37th |
| #7 | Portage Community School District | Portage | 3/10 Below Average | 21st |
Best School Districts in Columbia County, Wisconsin (2026)
This page lists the 7 public school districts headquartered in Columbia County, Wisconsin that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using Forward Exam 2024–25 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in Wisconsin, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Columbia County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Columbia County, Wisconsin? ▼
Among the 7 rated districts in Columbia County, Wisconsin, the highest-rated is Poynette School District (Poynette), rated 9/10 (Excellent) and in the 87th percentile of Wisconsin districts on Forward Exam 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (Forward Exam 2024–25), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in Wisconsin and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.