Best Public Schools in Wausau, WI

The Wausau School District in Wisconsin consists of 20 schools, including 14 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district's performance varies widely, with some schools, such as South Mountain Elementary, consistently ranking among the top 5% of Wisconsin elementary schools, while others, like Lincoln Elementary, struggle with proficiency rates well below the district and state averages.

The data reveals stark disparities in academic achievement across the district. The top-performing elementary schools, including Stettin Elementary and Rib Mountain Elementary, boast proficiency rates of 60-80% in core subjects, significantly outpacing the lower-performing schools. Similarly, the high schools and middle schools show a wide range of student outcomes, with some students performing above the district and state averages, while others lag behind.

Factors such as socioeconomic status, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, appear to play a significant role in student performance. Schools with higher poverty levels, like Franklin Elementary, tend to have lower test scores, while those with lower poverty rates, such as South Mountain Elementary, are among the top performers. The district's Wausau School District as a whole is ranked 272 out of 426 districts in Wisconsin, but the variability within the district suggests the need for targeted, school-specific improvement efforts.