Summary:
McFarland School District is home to three elementary-level schools serving a combined 2,331 students, spanning PK–2, grades 3–5, and a PK–8 virtual program. The district as a whole ranks 329th of 432 in Wisconsin — the 24th percentile with 1 star — but the individual schools tell very different stories.
Waubesa Intermediate is the clear standout. Serving grades 3–5 with 489 students, it ranks 204th of 1039 statewide (80th percentile, 4 stars) in 2025-2026 and has stayed in the top 14–20% of Wisconsin schools for three years running. It scored above both district and state averages in every tested subject in both years, with an overall proficiency average of 69.68% in 2025-2026 — about 15 points above both. Its 5th grade math reached 77.02%, and even its lowest tested score (65.61% in 3rd grade math) was higher than the best score at the district's other tested school.
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (WIVA) is by far the largest school at 1,393 students — nearly 60% of the elementary enrollment — and ranks 864th of 1039 (17th percentile, 1 star). It scored below district and state averages in every tested subject and grade, with math its weakest area (25.93% average; 18.67% in 8th grade math). WIVA did improve from 24.98% to 32.84% overall, though it remains well behind. It also reports the highest free/reduced lunch rate (68.13%), the highest student-teacher ratio (22), and the lowest per-pupil spending ($14,456). McFarland Primary School, serving PK–2, has no Forward Exam data, but posts the lowest poverty rate (12.69%), lowest student-teacher ratio (11.3), and highest per-pupil spending ($22,595).
Thank you for your feedback!