Best Elementary Schools in Appleton, WI

Appleton, Wisconsin is home to 21 elementary schools — most serving PK–5, with a few K–8, PK–4, and K–3 campuses — including 19 schools in the Appleton Area School District and 2 in the neighboring, higher-ranked Kimberly Area School District, together enrolling roughly 6,766 students in schools ranging from 23 to 570 students.

The top performers stand well above the rest. Woodland School leads with about 82.1% average proficiency, 2.7% chronic absenteeism, and only 5.65% free/reduced lunch, while Sunrise Elementary (about 70.1%) is also strong. Within Appleton Area, Classical School (about 73.9%) and Fox River Academy (about 75.7%) are both 5-star K–8 schools, and Berry Elementary (about 57.4%) is a relative bright spot despite recent decline. At the lower end are Badger Elementary (about 32.8%), Highlands Elementary (about 34.4%), Jefferson Elementary (about 38.3%), Stephen Foster Elementary Charter (about 40.2%), and Ronald C Dunlap Elementary School (about 41.4%) — all 1-star schools with free/reduced lunch between roughly 60% and 70% and higher absenteeism.

Across all 21 schools, the average proficiency is about 51.3% and the median about 46.7%; Kimberly schools average about 76.1% versus roughly 48.7% for Appleton Area schools. Chronic absenteeism averages about 10.7%, below the state's 17.3% but above Kimberly's 8.1% and below Appleton Area's 15.7%. Science is the weakest subject, averaging about 46.7% against the state's 53.46%, while social studies sits near the state level. Per-student spending averages about $16,525 and student-teacher ratios about 12.2; notably, higher spending and smaller classes appear alongside lower proficiency here, reflecting targeted funding for high-need schools rather than harm. The Omolade Academy, with 23 students and only two reported test results, is best considered separately.