- Enrollment
- 1,256
- Students per teacher
- 13.5:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Superior, WI
Northern Lights Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Northern Lights Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 47/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 551467002539
👥 S:T ratio 45
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 55
📋 Attendance 57
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Northern Lights Elementary earns 47/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Wisconsin median.
- #3 of 7
- schools in Superior · Resource Index
- 47
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.7:1
- students per teacher
- 59.9%
- free-lunch eligible
Northern Lights Elementary has class sizes near the Wisconsin median. Computed live against every Wisconsin school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Northern Lights Elementary ranks #3 of 7 schools in Superior, WI.
School address
District: Superior School District · Wisconsin
NCES ID 551467002539 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-39 students YoY
Northern Lights Elementary shrank from 491 students in 2022-23 to 452 in 2023-24 (-7.9%).
Teacher FTE held 33.0 → 33.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-39 students YoY 551467002539 · Superior, WI Other · SMALL · TRAD
453 enr · 13.7:1 · 59.9% lunch · RII 47
Nearest enrollment peer: Superior High (1,256 students)
Northern Lights Elementary shrank from 491 students in 2022-23 to 452 in 2023-24 (-7.9%). Teacher FTE held 33.0 → 33.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Wisconsin schools → · Find another →
Northern Lights Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Superior High
Superior High
1,256 students
- Superior Middl
Superior Middle
888 students
- This school 453
Northern Lights Elementary
453 students
- Cooper Element 363
Cooper Elementary
363 students
- Great Lakes El 348
Great Lakes Elementary
348 students
- Bryant Element 283
Bryant Elementary
283 students
What this shows Northern Lights Elementary reports 453 students on the CCD universe file.
How Northern Lights Elementary compares
Northern Lights Elementary is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Wisconsin and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Wisconsin | Wisconsin avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.7:1 | ▼ 5% | 14.4:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 59.9% | ▲ 56% | 38.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 453 | top 26% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.7:1
Leaner classes than 60% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
453
Bigger than 55% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
59.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 56% above the Wisconsin average of 38.5%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.7:1
students per teacher
- 5% below state mean
Top 56% in Wisconsin - lower ratio than 44% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
17.4%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$14,892
per pupil, district-wide
- below Wisconsin avg of $15,645
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 227 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
16
in-school suspensions + 14 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 3.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 6.6 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 78.6%
Two or More 10.6%
African American 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino 3.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.6%
Asian 1.8%
Largest group: White at 78.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 36.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 36.8, Northern Lights Elementary is about as mixed as the Wisconsin school average of 35.7.
Programs
District finance for Superior School District reports $14,892 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Northern Lights Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior High | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Superior Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Cooper Elementary | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Great Lakes Elementary | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Bryant Elementary | Smaller | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Northern Lights Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 888
- Students per teacher
- 13.7:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 363
- Students per teacher
- 15.1:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
- Enrollment
- 348
- Students per teacher
- 15.1:1
- Resource Index
- 53/100
- Enrollment
- 283
- Students per teacher
- 15.7:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Similar other schools in Superior
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Cooper Elementary
Standard public school
363 students 15.1:1 students per teacher
Great Lakes Elementary
Standard public school
348 students 15.1:1 students per teacher
Bryant Elementary
Standard public school
283 students 15.7:1 students per teacher
Four Corners Elementary
Standard public school
200 students 14.3:1 students per teacher
Lake Superior Elementary
Standard public school
151 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Superior Community Preschool
Standard public school
109 students 27.3:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~453 students)
Frequently asked questions about Northern Lights Elementary
How many students attend Northern Lights Elementary?
Northern Lights Elementary has 453 students enrolled. It is a public school in Superior, WI. CCD year-over-year: 491 (2022-23) → 452 (2023-24), down 39.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Lights Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Northern Lights Elementary is 13.7:1, which is 5% lower than the Wisconsin average of 14.4:1 and 13% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Northern Lights Elementary?
59.9% of students at Northern Lights Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Wisconsin average of 38.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Northern Lights Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Northern Lights Elementary is White at 78.6% of enrollment, in Superior, WI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Northern Lights Elementary?
Northern Lights Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 47/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Northern Lights Elementary rank among schools in Superior?
By Resource Investment Index, Northern Lights Elementary ranks #3 of 7 schools in Superior, WI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Superior on the city page.
What other schools are in Superior School District?
Besides Northern Lights Elementary, Superior School District also operates Superior High (1,256 students), Superior Middle (888 students), and Cooper Elementary (363 students). See the Superior School District district page for the complete list.