Northwoods Reporter

Among the many ethnicities represented in Washburn 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 2,170 students attending Washburn County schools, 89.5% were white. Ethnicities <5% students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 10.5% of Washburn County students.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Washburn County, representing 89.2% of the student body.

Countywide, Birchwood Elementary School had the most even distribution of races, which included 92% white students, 4.6% Hispanic students, 2.3% multiracial students, and 1.2% American Indian students.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county dropped 2.7% 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
Birchwood Elementary School	White	92%	87
Birchwood High School	White	97%	66
Birchwood Middle School	White	89.5%	38
Birchwood Public Montessori	White	87.5%	24
Bobcat Virtual Academy	White	81.8%	11
NorthStar Community Charter School	White	96.7%	30
Northwood Elementary School	White	84.2%	158
Northwood High/Middle School	White	85.4%	137
Northwood Virtual Charter School	White	100%	3
Shell Lake Elementary (3-6)	White	92.5%	173
Shell Lake Junior/Senior High School	White	89.3%	317
Shell Lake Primary (K-2)	White	86.7%	128
Spooner Elementary School	White	89.1%	366
Spooner High School	White	92.3%	374
Spooner Middle School	White	88%	258