Northwoods Reporter

Among the many ethnicities represented in Rusk 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 1,605 students attending Rusk County schools, 91.3% were white. Ethnicities <5% students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 8.7% of Rusk County students.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Rusk County, representing 91.6% of the student body.

Countywide, Bruce Elementary School had the most even distribution of races, which included 91.2% white students, 3.9% Hispanic students, 3.4% multiracial students, 1% American Indian students, and 0.5% Black students.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county dropped 0.6% 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
Bruce Elementary School	White	91.2%	204
Bruce High School	White	94.2%	120
Bruce Middle School	White	92.7%	82
Flambeau Elementary School	White	97%	197
Flambeau High School	White	96.6%	147
Flambeau Middle School	White	96.2%	106
Ladysmith Elementary School	White	88%	349
Ladysmith High School	White	86.7%	241
Ladysmith Middle School	White	87.4%	159