Do You Love Rural Schools?

WiRSA is committed to quality education for all Wisconsin students.

Thank you! WiRSA Sponsors 2023-24

We believe in strong schools and communities. Our priorities are to:

  • Provide a unified voice for rural schools at the local, state, and federal levels.

  • Celebrate the incredible achievements of rural schools.

  • Curate research, news, events, and resources for rural educators, including our annual WiRSA conference.

  • Membership Details

    Who are our members and why should you join? Learn all about our membership benefits for schools, organizations, and businesses!

  • Awards & Scholarships

    We recognize the unique achievements of rural school educators, administrators, and students with annual awards.

  • Weekly Updates

    Stay in-the-know with all things rural schools with our weekly compilation of news and alerts.

Why is Our Work So Important?

Nearly 70% of Wisconsin school districts are considered “rural.” These districts service 44% of the state’s 860,000 public school students. With so many members of Wisconsin’s next generation learning in rural schools, it’s vital that we prioritize the unique needs of these educators and students.

But step back for a moment and consider this: ALL Wisconsin schools are facing significant challenges. These include growing poverty, lack of predictable funding increases, insufficient special education funding, increasing numbers of English Language Learners, limited access to mental health services, escalating staff shortages, and much more.

So while challenges differ from district to district, we are all united by a common goal to provide the best possible education for Wisconsin students. We need to identify, clarify, and support good education policy for public schools. And we need to guarantee equal access to opportunities and resources for all Wisconsin students, setting them up for bright futures.

Wisconsin has always been a national leader in education. Let’s keep it that way.

What people are saying…

Join Our Mission!

  • Join WiRSA as a school, individual or organization

  • Stay up-to-date on the latest research, news, and events through our free and members-only resources.

  • Become a vocal advocate for rural schools in Wisconsin!