Ellsworth Educational Opportunities

The Ellsworth Community School District is a product of the consolidation of some 30 districts.  The school district has a total population of 12,000 and encompasses the villages of Bay City, Ellsworth, and Maiden Rock, approximately 250 square miles.

The Ellsworth Community School District operates four elementary schools, a middle school, and a senior high.  The total enrollment is approximately 2,000 students.  One elementary school, the middle school and the senior high school are located in Ellsworth.  Three elementary schools are strategically located to best serve the students in this geographically large school district.  St. Francis Catholic School is also located in Ellsworth and affords a choice to kindergarten through Grade 5 students.

The 1-14 teacher/student ratio speaks for itself as the Ellsworth School District boasts a high school graduation rate in excess of that for the state of Wisconsin. In 2002, Ellsworth scored equal to or above the state in all subjects (Math, Science, Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies) at all 3 grade levels at which the WKCE is taken. The district offers a complete special education program.  In areas that involve a small number of students, the district cooperates with other school districts to offer a combined program or purchases specialized instructional service.

The school district is fortunate to have employees who are highly qualified and experienced. 41% of the 144 teachers hold master's degrees. The turnover rate is low with retirement being the primary reason for employees leaving their jobs. The average experience of teachers is 13.2 years. The average experience of support staff is 9.52 years. The average experience of administrators is 9.3 years.

The school board writes a weekly article to inform the community about items of interest and issues facing the school district. A semi-annual newsletter provided to the area residents by mail, free of charge, keeps the community informed regarding school district opportunities concerns, and news including current Community Education classes.  School Board Meetings, held the second Monday of every month are open to the public, and provide further public enlightenment and involvement.

The district operates a summer school program which offers over 40 courses for grades K-12.  Courses are primarily for enrichment; however, some secondary courses are offered for credit.  The district provides year around educational, social, recreational, and cultural opportunities to the community through the activities of the Community Education Program. Extra-curricular activities abound.  School clubs, societies, musical groups, and athletic competitions receive the support of the general public as do the many community youth and adult programs and organizations active within the district.

Most residents of the district earn their living by working in nearby cities or by farming. The majority work in River Falls, Red Wing, or the Twin Cities.  Many graduates continue their education at universities and colleges close to the Ellsworth Community School District, which include the University of Wisconsin River Falls, University of Wisconsin Stout, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, MN State College - Southeast, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Dakota County Technical College and numerous colleges located in the Twin Cities.

The Ellsworth Community School District is committed to providing a quality education for all students and is dedicated to teaching children how to learn, enabling each student an equal opportunity to achieve their potential as a life long learner.

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Education Directory

Ellsworth Community School District Office

300 Hillcrest St. P.O. Box 1500 Ellsworth, WI  54011

Telephone: (715) 273-3900, Fax: (715) 273-5775

Web page: www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us

Preparing our young people and members of the community for the challenges of the future.

The Ellsworth Community School District is committed to providing a quality education for all students and is dedicated to teaching children how to learn, enabling each student an equal opportunity to achieve their potential as a life long learner.  The school district will encourage the development of critical thinking, individualization, social skills, physical fitness, aesthetic appreciation, and creativity while meeting the demands of a changing world by adopting and applying new knowledge and technology in the improvement of education while the student citizens become productive members of the world. The Ellsworth area combines the peacefulness of a quiet, small town, rural atmosphere with the convenience of easy access to a major metropolitan area.  School district residents can choose from a variety of outdoor recreational activities that lie within the district boundaries.  Activities include fishing the beautiful trout streams, boating on the mighty Mississippi, playing a leisurely round of golf, hunting deer or other game among the gorgeous rolling hills, to the beautiful views of the majestic bluffs near Hager City.  Ellsworth Community School District residents can find a multitude of ways to enjoy the limitless beauty of West Central Wisconsin.

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Ellsworth Community High School

323 W. Hillcrest St., P.O. Box 1500, Ellsworth, WI  54011

Telephone: (715) 273-3904, Fax: (715) 273-6824

Web page: www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/highschool

High School, located in the village of Ellsworth, serves   grades 9-12 offering a wide variety of courses for the   college bound and vocational oriented student.  Our   school is North Central Accredited (NCA) and boasts a     1-14 teacher/student ratio, allowing students the   opportunity for personal teacher attention. A wide  variety of extra-curricular activities are offered to meet  the   needs of most students.

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Ellsworth Middle School

312 W.Panther Drive, P.O. Box 1500, Ellsworth, WI  54011

Telephone: (715) 273-3908, Fax: (715) 273-6834

Web page: www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/middleschool

The Ellsworth Community Middle School serves grades    6-8 and is an educational facility designed to meet      the unique needs and characteristics of pre-adolescent  and early  adolescent students. Its programs reflect  a         student-centered curriculum designed to help  each student  experience a smooth transition from  dependent to  independent learning.  Ellsworth  Community Middle School  curriculum provides interesting, active, and relevant learning experiences within a safe and secure environment.

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Hillcrest Elementary School

350 S. Grant, P.O. Box 1500, Ellsworth, WI  54011

Telephone: (715) 273-3912

Web page: www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/hillcrest

Hillcrest Elementary School is located in the Village of  Ellsworth and offers services to students in grades K-5.  Elementary age special education services are also  centered at Hillcrest Elementary.

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Lindgren Elementary School

N3470 U.S. Hwy. 63, Hager City, WI  54014

Telephone: (715) 792-2424, Fax: (715) 792-5420

Web page: www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/lindgren

Lindgren Early Childhood Center, located on U.S. Highway  63, five miles south of Ellsworth, serves students in two   pre-kindergarten programs: The Ellsworth Community   School District Early Childhood Program and CESA #11   Head Start Program. 

Early Childhood is a program that serves children ages    3-5 years old who have exceptional educational needs.  These needs range from speech language delays, visual impairment, developmental delays, hearing impairment, emotional disturbance, physical disability, autism, and health impairments. The Early Childhood Program serves children and families living within the Ellsworth Community School District.

Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.  Head Start places a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. The Lindgren Head Start program serves children and families from Ellsworth and many neighboring communities in Western Wisconsin.

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Prairie View Elementary School

W7375 170th Avenue, Hager City, WI  54014

Telephone: (715) 792-5285, Fax: (715) 792-2068

Web page: www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/prairieview

Prairie View Elementary School is one of four elementary   schools in the Ellsworth Community School District and is   located on the southern end of the district serving   grades  K-5. Our school has a student population of        a little more than 200 and a staff of approximately 40   (teachers, aides, other support staff). While visiting our   school you are welcome to take a hike in our 40-acre    Prairie View Nature Center, located next to our school.   We have an outdoor classroom, miles of trails, salt lick areas, wild flower areas, and many different animal species.  We have spent 13 years developing our nature center with the help of dedicated staff and parents.

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St. Francis Catholic School

244 W. Woodworth St., Ellsworth, WI  54011

Telephone: (715) 273-4391, Fax: (715) 273-4066

Francis School serves grades K-5 and is a Catholic elementary school whose mission is to create a child-centered academic environment that will prepare young people for a successful future built upon Catholic Christian virtues. Serving children in grades kindergarten through five, teachers and parents work together to help children grow in faith and knowledge.

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Community Education

Ellsworth Community School District

300 W. Hillcrest St., P.O. Box 1500, Ellsworth, WI 54011

Telephone: (715) 273-3911, Fax: (715) 273-5775

This program enhances community life through the expanded use of school and community facilities. The community education program supports the existing programs of other organizations and provides additional programs where recognized needs exist. The success of the program depends upon the involvement, commitment, and diversity of the people of the school district.  A variety of courses on a wide range of topics is offered every three months. A copy of the schedule is available at all district school offices.

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Before and After School Programs

Panther Kid's Clubs is for students K-5 Monday-Fridays, 5:15 - 8:30 A.M. and 3:30 - 6:30 P.M. at both Prairie View and Hillcrest sites. Students from Lindgren and Sunnyside are shuttled from the Kid's Club programs to their respective home-school sites both before and after school.  Panther Kid's Clubs are open on non-school week days, including summer, from 5:15 A.M. - 6:30 P.M. The program provides homework help daily, and various enrichment and recreational activities.

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After-School Middle School Programs

Panther Kid's Club is offered Mondays - Thursdays from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M.  Homework help is offered daily along with various enrichment and recreational clubs. Late busing is available for students participating in the Panther Kid's Clubs and after-school sports.

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Special Education

254 S. Chestnut St., Ellsworth, WI 54011, 715-273-3911

The district offers a complete special education program. In areas that involve a small number of students, the district cooperates with other school districts to offer a combined program or purchases specialized instructional services.

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At Risk

The Student At Risk program assists students in grades K-12 who have been identified as potential drop outs. The emphasis is on early identification and intervention. Teacher aides work with students and parents to provide encouragement and tutoring services for identified students.

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Remedial Reading/Math

The school district has offered a remedial reading and math program since 1965. This federal program is referred to as Title I. Remedial instruction is offered to all elementary students who qualify. The school district provides funding to serve students who would not otherwise be served with the limited federal funds available to the district.

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Exceptional Educational Needs

Services are provided for students ranging in age from 3-21. The program serves the following categories: speech/language, learning disability, emotional disturbance, cognitive disability, physical handicapped, other health impaired, autism, traumatic brain injury, significant developmental delay, orthopedic impairment, visual impaired and hearing impaired. Related areas include occupational therapy and physical therapy.

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Gifted & Talented

A Gifted & Talented program coordinator/ teacher and committee have been appointed to formulate a continuous K-12 program in gifted education at Ellsworth. The five areas addressed by the committee include leadership, creativity, academics, artistic, and intellectual giftedness. Components of the program include guidelines for identification and effective programming strategies.