Alma School District

The Alma School District in Wisconsin consists of two schools: Alma Elementary and Alma High. Based on the available data, Alma Elementary appears to be the standout school in the district, consistently outperforming the state average on the Forward Exam, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

In contrast, Alma High has seen a significant decline in its statewide ranking, dropping from 81 out of 415 Wisconsin high schools in 2022-2023 to 362 out of 431 in 2024-2025. Its test scores, especially in Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Mathematics, are below the state averages. Both schools have relatively high chronic absenteeism rates, which may be a contributing factor to their academic performance.

The data also suggests that the district serves a population with significant economic challenges, as indicated by the high percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients at both schools. While Alma High spends more per student than Alma Elementary, this does not appear to have translated into better academic outcomes, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as resource allocation and instructional practices, play a crucial role in student success. The district should focus on addressing the factors contributing to the high chronic absenteeism rates and exploring ways to support the academic achievement of all students, particularly at the high school level.