Portage is recognized statewide for its outstanding public education system. The Portage Community School District provides a quality, diverse education to all students. A progressive curriculum that includes advanced classes, innovated technologies and class schedules specific to each student’s abilities is complimented by a wide variety of extracurricular offerings and activities.
The district includes a 4-year-old kindergarten program, five elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and one alternative school. The district benefits from the support of active parent-teacher organizations along with community and business partners who, together with staff and board of education members, are committed to the success of every student.
Cooperative Educational Service Agency #5 (CESA 5), located in Portage, provides services and support to public school districts in central Wisconsin. CESA 5 makes it possible for these schools, regardless of size, to work together to share staff and resources to affordably extend educational opportunities to teachers and students.
Two elementary-level parochial K-8 schools, St. Mary’s Catholic School and St. John’s Lutheran School, are a great way for parents to ensure that their students receive faith-based education along with their traditional education. St. Mary’s Catholic School and St. John’s Lutheran Church & Schools are K-8 schools that not only offer outstanding classes within the core curriculum, but also focus on spiritual education with an emphasis in family involvement and positive daily practices.
The University of Wisconsin Center campus in Baraboo, just 20 minutes from Portage, provides academic courses in a rural campus setting. The University of Wisconsin at Madison is only 45 minutes away and is the cornerstone of the statewide University of Wisconsin System. A proud member of the Big Ten, it is recognized worldwide for its teaching and research facilities. Madison is also the home of the main campus for Madison College and Edgewood College.
Madison College-Portage is a community-based post secondary institution serving the educational and training needs of Columbia and Marquette counties. Associate degree level programs and certificate courses are available in various fields at MATC-Portage. Area businesses contract with MATC to provide customized training to their employees. MATC-Portage also provides Adult Continuing Education and Adult Basic Education throughout the year in community centers, schools and churches based upon local requests. Adult Basic Education provides instruction to individuals 18 ½ years old or older to prepare them for completion of the GED or HSED.