Best Public Schools in Monona, WI

Monona, Wisconsin has five schools serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across two districts—the Monona Grove School District and the much smaller One City Schools Inc—with a combined enrollment of 2,292 students. The district divide is the dominant story here: Monona Grove schools enroll 1,865 students (81.4%) and rank 127 of 432 districts statewide (71st percentile, 4 stars), while One City schools enroll 427 students (18.6%) and rank 424 of 432 (2nd percentile, 0 stars). In 2025–26, every Monona Grove school sits at the 79th percentile or higher, and both One City schools sit at the 13th percentile or lower.

Winnequah School (PK–5, 602 students) is the clearest standout, earning 4 stars and beating both its district and the state in every 2025–26 subject, from ELA 74.49 to social studies 80.21—the highest single score in the city—while posting the lowest chronic absenteeism at 15.2. Monona Grove High (9–12, 1,170 students) is the largest school and is improving steadily, climbing from the 65th to the 68th to the 83rd percentile, with a 95.2% graduation rate and a 0.1% dropout rate. Monona Grove Liberal Arts (6–12, 93 students) is highly variable: top scores like ACT Science 80.0 and ELA 6th 85.71, but also math 8th at 18.18 and an 87.5% graduation rate.

Both One City schools face steep challenges. One City Preparatory Academy (6–8, 99 students) has the city's highest chronic absenteeism (48.4) and free/reduced lunch rate (72.73%), plus math proficiency as low as 3.57 in 7th grade. One City Elementary School (PK–5, 328 students) has 40.7 absenteeism, 67.99% free/reduced lunch, and scores from 11.43 to 53.66, all below state. Poverty and attendance track achievement closely, and small cohort sizes mean year-to-year swings at these schools should be read cautiously.