Our local community and culture is largely shaped by the land — we like to say Sauk County is “Land Made.” Breathtaking scenery invites exploration and sparks inspiration, while abundant natural resources have laid the groundwork for a thriving economy. This is where creativity, innovation and talent thrive.
In Sauk County, we are connected to the land, and to each other, enjoying a close-knit community network that supports big ideas and bigger swings. From pioneering rocket technology to blazing trails in plastic engineering innovations, Sauk County is the launchpad where ingenuity takes root and grows. Tap into a culture that values collaboration and progress.
Sauk County is a patchwork quilt of heritage and cultures woven into the fabric of the region, rich in charm, natural beauty and historical presence. Surrounded by wildlife, nature preserves, parks, family attractions and watering holes (both land-made and manmade), we’re adventurous by nature and embrace a down-to-earth mentality. We warmly welcome you to discover the good nature of our people, land and spirit.
Sauk County K-12 public and private schools enjoy an excellent reputation throughout the state. The county is served by six school districts:
Baraboo School District
Reedsburg School District (Reedsburg, La Valle)
River Valley School District (Spring Green, Plain)
Sauk Prairie School District (Sauk Prairie, Sauk City)
Wisconsin Dells School District (Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton)
Weston School District (NW Sauk County)
Most private schools in the county are religiously affiliated, primarily Catholic and Lutheran denominations. The average acceptance rate for private schools in Sauk County is approximately 75%, which is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 93%. Private schools within Sauk County include:
Baraboo
Community Christian School
St. John’s Lutheran School
St. Joseph Catholic School
Reedsburg
St. Peter’s Lutheran School
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sauk City
St. Aloysius Catholic School
Shoreless Lake School Wisconsin
Spring Green
St. John the Evangelist School
Wisconsin Dells
Dells Christian Academy
Trinity Lutheran School
Learn more about Sauk County’s private schools here.
Madison Area Technical College (MATC) – Reedsburg Campus
Madison College’s Reedsburg campus is all about hands-on learning and real-world job skills, with programs that award two-year degrees, technical diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships. Students can dive into programs such as accounting, business, education, nursing or even farm and production management — with credits transferable to four-year colleges and universities. They also offer apprenticeships in fields such as electrical and machine maintenance. Plus, they team up with local businesses to provide customized training that meets workforce needs right in the community.
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University of Wisconsin-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County
UW–Baraboo (UW-BSC) is a great place to kick off your college journey. Exclusively enrolling freshmen and sophomores in the UW System, it offers a wide mix of liberal arts and pre-professional courses — a solid launchpad for almost any major. UW-BSC also has partnerships with schools like UW-Milwaukee and UW-Oshkosh, which enable students to earn a full bachelor’s degree on the Baraboo campus through collaborative programs.
Most students commute from Baraboo or nearby towns, and the school also offers a flexible continuing education program, including noncredit workshops, seminars and short courses in everything from computers and communication to theater.
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University of Wisconsin–Madison – Extension Sauk County
Located in the heart of Baraboo, the UW–Madison Division of Extension – Sauk County serves as a vital link between the University of Wisconsin and local residents. Its mission is to provide research-based education and resources that empower individuals, families and communities to thrive.
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If you live outside of the United States and want to explore studying in Sauk County on a J-1 visa, check out the links below.
J-1 Visa Overview
Exchange Visitor Program Category Requirements
Secondary School Students
Secondary school students travel to the United States to study at an accredited public or private high school and live with an American host family or at an accredited boarding school.
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University and College Students
Foreign students have the opportunity to study at American degree-granting, postsecondary accredited academic institutions, or participate in a student internship program that will fulfill the educational objectives of the student’s degree program in his or her home country.
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Short-Term Scholars
Professors, research scholars and other individuals with similar education or accomplishments travel to the United States on a short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train or demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, postsecondary accredited academic institutions or similar types of institutions.
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Professors and Research Scholars
The exchange of professors promotes the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries.
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Folks in Sauk County don’t have to go far to find good health care. Right here at home, places like SSM Health St. Clare Hospital, Sauk Prairie Healthcare and RAMC take care of just about everything you might need. And if you ever need a specialist or advanced treatment, the top-notch UW Health hospitals in Madison are just a short drive away.
Sauk Prairie Healthcare
Founded in 1956, Sauk Prairie Healthcare includes a 36-bed, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) acute care hospital and three surgical specialty practices located in Prairie du Sac, as well as four primary care clinics in Mazomanie, Plain, Spring Green and Lodi. Sauk Prairie Hospital has been named in the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics, was recently named in the top 5% for patient satisfaction by Press Ganey, and has been recognized with the prestigious Guardian of Excellence Award.
Reedsburg Area Medical Center (RAMC)
Reedsburg Area Medical Center has been a part of the local community since 1902, and now serves over 25,000 people in Reedsburg and the surrounding areas. A vital resource to rural communities, the center provides general services, including family medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, inpatient/surgical, intensive care, emergency and walk-in care. Additionally, the center sponsors a wide variety of education classes and health screenings.
SSM Health St. Clair Hospital in Baraboo
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system providing care to communities across Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. The St. Clare Hospital location provides services related to women’s health, cancer care, orthopedics, pediatrics, general surgery, rehabilitation services, sleep disorders and more.
The UW Health System
Located in Madison, the UW Health System is the primary teaching and research hospital system for the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH). UW Health encompasses several hospitals and is recognized as one of the most prominent medical centers in the country.
UW Health University Hospital
UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital
UW Health – Carbone Cancer Center
ForwardHealth brings together many Department of Health Services health care and nutritional assistance benefit programs with the goal of improving health outcomes for members and creating efficiencies for providers. There are a wealth of resources available, including caregiver support programs, low- and no-cost health care, tax credits and more.
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This program provides acute health care services for individuals without health or dental insurance.
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Nurse-Family Partnership connects women who are pregnant with their first baby to a registered nurse who will provide the support, advice and information needed to have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and be a great mom. The services are free for those who meet income eligibility requirements.
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Sauk County offers a unique and fulfilling environment in which quality of life and access to nature are just as important as economic growth and professional achievement.
Sauk County offers endless ways to go beyond the ordinary. From exploring the bluffs of Baraboo and the depths of Devil’s Lake, to getting immersed in the rich culture of the Ho-Chunk Nation and architectural heritage of Frank Lloyd Wright, Sauk County is a family-friendly playground you won’t find anywhere else.
Parks & Nature
Outdoor Activities
Family & Culture
Shopping
Entertainment
Dig a little deeper into the benefits of living and working in Sauk County, and find valuable insights and essential information in our Frequently Asked Questions.
Sauk County can be separated into six municipalities, each a cornerstone contributing to the region’s enduring economic climate — explore them all below.
