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McFarland High

Public Grades 9-12

48^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 533 Wisconsin High Schools

Better than 91% of Wisconsin high schools

Summary

McFarland High is a public comprehensive high school in McFarland, Wisconsin — a small community just outside Madison — serving grades 9–12 with 727 students. In 2025–2026 it ranked 48th of 533 Wisconsin high schools, in the 91st percentile with 5 stars, a level of performance it has sustained for a decade. That far outshines its own McFarland School District, which ranks 329th of 432 districts. The difference is explained largely by the district's three virtual and alternative high schools — Wisconsin Virtual Academy High (WIVA), Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High, and Insight School of Wisconsin High — which share the same address but rank in the bottom 11% statewide.

Compared with nearby schools, McFarland High stands out on nearly every measure. Its 2024–2025 graduation rate was 96.6% (state: 92.0%) and its dropout rate just 0.1% (state: 1.1%), while chronic absenteeism was 12.5% — lower than the state's 17.3% and well below Monona Grove High (19.5%), Monona Grove Liberal Arts (22.8%), and LaFollette High (42.3%). It also edges Monona Grove High in overall rank and posts higher proficiency in social studies, math, and science, even though LaFollette spends slightly more per student.

Test scores are a clear strength: in 10th grade, proficiency was 63.74% in math and science, 72.83% in social studies, and 54.97% in English language arts, all above state averages and the highest among nearby schools. Math and science have both climbed sharply since 2022–2023. Two things are worth noting for families: the school serves a relatively advantaged population (15.54% free/reduced lunch, the lowest among nearby schools) and spends $18,985 per student, and effectiveness rankings for a few student groups, including low-income students, lag behind its overall results.

727

Students ?

13.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,985

Per pupil spending ?

15.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5103 Farwell St
Mc Farland, WI 53558-9216

(608) 838-3166

District: McFarland School District

Feeder schools for McFarland High:

Elementary:	McFarland Primary School
	Waubesa Intermediate
Middle:	Indian Mound Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

80.7%

Two or more races:

7.3%

Hispanic:

5.4%

See top rated Wisconsin high schools

Compare McFarland High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 77th percentile in 2021 → 91st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Wisconsin average (64% vs 46% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 9% of Wisconsin high schools

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the Wisconsin average (92%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg31%

Wisconsin avg46%

48^th of 533

Wisconsin public high schools ?

Top 9%▼ down 5 pts since 2016

From top 4% (2016) to top 9% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Wisconsin High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4High Schools in the McFarland School District

329^th of 432McFarland School District among Wisconsin districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	85.6	48 of 533	91.0%	★★★★★
2025	77.3	71 of 431	83.5%	★★★★☆
2024	85.5	33 of 431	92.3%	★★★★★
2023	72.8	86 of 415	79.3%	★★★★☆
2022	74.9	74 of 391	81.1%	★★★★☆
2021	70.5	89 of 390	77.2%	★★★★☆
2019	83.0	41 of 400	89.8%	★★★★☆
2018	85.2	37 of 410	91.0%	★★★★★
2017	87.9	31 of 410	92.4%	★★★★★
2016	95.1	15 of 408	96.3%	★★★★★
2015	73.9	78 of 466	83.3%	★★★★☆
2014	79.1	51 of 462	89.0%	★★★★☆
2013	75.0	71 of 457	84.5%	★★★★☆
2012	58.3	234 of 452	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	66.3	158 of 445	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	71.2	104 of 450	76.9%	★★★★☆
2009	64.3	162 of 438	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	77.6	51 of 437	88.3%	★★★★☆
2006	75.2	54 of 292	81.5%	★★★★☆
2004	79.9	24 of 275	91.3%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2025	75.9	12 of 57	78.9%	★★★★☆
2022	68.6	16 of 48	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	67.8	15 of 44	65.9%	★★★★☆
2019	45.2	23 of 44	47.7%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2022	79.0	3 of 29	89.7%	★★★★★
2021	60.9	10 of 23	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	35.2	23 of 32	28.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	88.7	33 of 461	92.8%	★★★★★
2025	74.4	70 of 358	80.4%	★★★★☆
2024	81.0	39 of 353	89.0%	★★★★☆
2023	62.1	118 of 329	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	75.6	59 of 343	82.8%	★★★★☆
2021	67.3	87 of 332	73.8%	★★★★☆
2019	81.4	41 of 343	88.0%	★★★★☆
2018	70.8	80 of 355	77.5%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	33.8	123 of 187	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.1	59 of 119	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	57.9	33 of 86	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	76.2	16 of 76	78.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	56.3	173 of 446	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	34.2	237 of 335	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	53.7	147 of 326	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	41.8	170 of 271	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.4	107 of 250	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.2	108 of 226	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.7	151 of 251	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.8	141 of 255	44.7%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	81.7	55 of 462	88.1%	★★★★☆
2025	75.4	64 of 380	83.2%	★★★★☆
2024	86.1	27 of 365	92.6%	★★★★★
2023	75.7	57 of 359	84.1%	★★★★☆
2022	67.2	82 of 347	76.4%	★★★★☆
2021	62.2	100 of 334	70.1%	★★★★☆
2019	76.3	59 of 354	83.3%	★★★★☆
2018	89.4	26 of 373	93.0%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	59.1	36 of 102	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.6	43 of 81	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.9	33 of 71	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.2	17 of 56	69.6%	★★★★☆
2022	34.5	28 of 41	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.8	31 of 37	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.1	19 of 35	45.7%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	91.6	9 of 333	97.3%	★★★★★
2024	66.8	17 of 95	82.1%	★★★★☆
2023	61.6	9 of 55	83.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	85.5	33 of 344	90.4%	★★★★★
2025	72.5	64 of 285	77.5%	★★★★☆
2024	85.8	25 of 300	91.7%	★★★★★
2023	66.5	70 of 271	74.2%	★★★★☆
2022	65.6	78 of 269	71.0%	★★★★☆
2021	60.7	86 of 266	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	84.0	34 of 266	87.2%	★★★★☆
2018	83.9	34 of 261	87.0%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Special Education (2026)97th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)93rd percentile~ school

White (2026)90th percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)90th percentile+9 vs school

Male (2026)88th percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2025)79th percentile-5 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)65th percentile-26 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)61st percentile-30 vs school

Hispanic (2026)34th percentile-57 vs school

By subject vs Wisconsin (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies73%+25 vs state

Mathematics64%+21 vs state

Science64%+21 vs state

English Language Arts55%+6 vs state

★

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Schools Near McFarland High

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ACT English Language Arts (2026)	ACT Mathematics (2026)	ACT Science (2026)	Forward Exam English Language Arts (2026)			Forward Exam Mathematics (2026)			Forward Exam Social Studies (2026)		Forward Exam Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ACT English Language Arts 10th Grade	ACT Mathematics 10th Grade	ACT Science 10th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 6th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 7th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 8th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 6th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 7th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 10th Grade	Forward Exam Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
McFarland High	Public	9-12	5103 Farwell St	Mc Farland	53558	Dane County	McFarland School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 838-3166	727	53	13.8	15.5%	587 (80.7%)	14 (1.9%)	39 (5.4%)	32 (4.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (7.3%)	85.6	48^th of 533 public high schools	91.0%		77.3	71^st of 431 public high schools	83.5%	23	55.0	63.7	63.7								72.8		$18,985	$309	$18,676
Wisconsin Virtual Academy High (WIVA)	Public, Virtual, Charter	9-12	4721 Dale-Curtin Dr	Mc Farland	53558	Dane County	McFarland School District	Yes	No	Yes	No	(608) 838-9482	1,566	70	22.4	60.5%	920 (58.7%)	221 (14.1%)	272 (17.4%)	18 (1.1%)	15 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	119 (7.6%)	8.7	482^nd of 533 public high schools	9.6%		6.9	410^th of 431 public high schools	4.9%	72	18.2	7.7	15.4								25.6		$8,733	$44	$8,689
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High	Public, Virtual, Charter	9-12	4721 Dale-Curtin Dr	Mc Farland	53558	Dane County	McFarland School District	Yes	No	Yes	No	(608) 838-9482	423	5	80.5	50.4%	260 (61.5%)	50 (11.8%)	64 (15.1%)	6 (1.4%)	6 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (8.7%)	9.8	476^th of 533 public high schools	10.7%		8.2	406^th of 431 public high schools	5.8%	70	25.2	7.1	15.9								21.5		$3,671	$18	$3,653
Insight School of Wisconsin High	Public, Virtual, Charter	9-12	4721 Dale-Curtin	Mc Farland	53558	Dane County	McFarland School District	Yes	No	Yes	No	(608) 838-9482	202	25	8.0	61.4%	105 (52.0%)	31 (15.3%)	32 (15.8%)	2 (1.0%)	7 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (12.4%)	6.5	492^nd of 533 public high schools	7.7%					(n/a)	0.0	20.0	0.0										$7,541	$38	$7,503
LaFollette High	Public	9-12	702 Pflaum Rd	Madison	53716	Dane County	Madison Metropolitan School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 204-3600	1,541	104	14.7	58.3%	423 (27.4%)	344 (22.3%)	525 (34.1%)	88 (5.7%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	143 (9.3%)	27.3	428^th of 533 public high schools	19.7%		12.3	398^th of 431 public high schools	7.7%	30	36.2	27.5	27.6								32.4		$19,615	$796	$18,819
Monona Grove Liberal Arts	Public, Charter	6-12	5301 Monona Dr	Monona	53716	Dane County	Monona Grove School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(608) 316-1924	93	9	10.6	26.9%	79 (84.9%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (9.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.4%)	75.7	101^st of 533 public high schools	81.1%					(n/a)	50.0	50.0	80.0	85.7	78.6	45.5	71.4	53.9	18.2	45.5	58.3	45.5	$19,313	$315	$18,999
Monona Grove High	Public	9-12	4400 Monona Dr	Monona	53716	Dane County	Monona Grove School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 221-7666	1,170	86	13.5	19.3%	900 (76.9%)	53 (4.5%)	104 (8.9%)	39 (3.3%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	70 (6.0%)	76.6	91^st of 533 public high schools	82.9%		64.5	138^th of 431 public high schools	68.0%	47	54.3	55.7	59.2								57.3		$16,789	$293	$16,496
DOC: Oakhill Correctional Institution	Public	12	5212 County Road M	Oregon	53575	Dane County	Wisconsin Department of Corrections	No	No	No	No	(608) 835-3101	0	1	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Metro School	Public	6-12	115 W Doty St	Madison	53703	Dane County	Madison Metropolitan School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 663-1634	12	6	2.0	41.7%	3 (25.0%)	3 (25.0%)	3 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (25.0%)								(n/a)													$13,729	$490	$13,239
Grow Academy	Public	6-12	4986 County Road M	Fitchburg	53575	Dane County	Wisconsin Department of Corrections	No	No	No	No	(608) 835-5700	5	1	5.0		0 (0.0%)	5 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about McFarland High

Is McFarland High a good school?

Yes. McFarland High ranks in the top 9.0% of Wisconsin high schools.

How many students attend McFarland High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 727 students attended McFarland High.

What schools feed into McFarland High?

McFarland High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : McFarland Primary School
Elementary : Waubesa Intermediate
Middle : Indian Mound Middle

What district is McFarland High in?

McFarland School District

What is the racial makeup of McFarland High?

Students at McFarland High are 81% White, 7% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 2% African American.

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Latest Wisconsin data All new data »

2025–26 ACT & Forward Exam scoresNewOct 1, 2026

2021–22 through 2024–25 school spending dataJul 16, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2024–25 ACT & Forward Exam scoresSep 25, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.