Middle Schools in Waunakee Community School District

The Waunakee Community School District in Wisconsin runs two middle-level schools that together cover grades 5 through 8: Waunakee Intermediate (grades 5–6, 661 students) and Waunakee Middle (grades 7–8, 667 students). Combined enrollment is 1,328 students, split almost exactly evenly between the two buildings, and the district ranks 27th of 432 Wisconsin districts — the 94th percentile.

Both schools score far above the state in every tested subject. Waunakee Intermediate holds the highest single figure in the data: 84.38% proficient in 6th-grade ELA, against 54.95% statewide, and it averages 25.47 points above the state. Waunakee Middle averages 23.63 points above the state, led by 8th-grade Social Studies at 85.91% and 8th-grade Science at 78.19% (state: 51.86%). Waunakee Middle also climbed steadily in the rankings — 49th of 641 to 29th of 643 middle schools over three years, a 95th-percentile, 5-star standing. All ten current scores sit in a tight 76–86% band, so results are consistent across grades and subjects rather than concentrated in one.

Operationally, both schools beat the state's 17.3% chronic absenteeism rate, though Waunakee Intermediate's 14.8% is above Waunakee Middle's 12.9% and above the district's 11.6%. Poverty is low (9.53% and 12.59% free/reduced lunch), per-student spending is high ($16,651 and $17,133), and classes are small (11.6 and 10.1 students per teacher). Waunakee Middle reports a 0.0% dropout rate against 1.1% statewide. The one caution flag: 6th-grade math at Waunakee Intermediate fell 5.82 points, to 77.57%, and its lead over the state narrowed by 6.44 points.