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Prairie Elementary

Q: Is Prairie Elementary a good school?

Prairie Elementary ranks 283 rd of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

283^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,039 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Better than 73% of Wisconsin elementary schools

Summary

Prairie Elementary is a PK–5 school with 348 students located at 1801 Center Rd in Waukesha, Wisconsin, part of the Waukesha School District. It is a mid-sized suburban elementary school where about 29% of students are economically disadvantaged and per-student spending is $14,372. In 2025–26, Prairie ranked 283rd of 1,039 Wisconsin schools — 73rd percentile with 4 stars — well above its district's 57th percentile, and it has earned 4 stars in four of the last five reported years, up from the 38th percentile a decade ago.

Among nearby Waukesha elementary schools, only four of ten comparison schools rank higher, and two of those, Rose Glen Elementary and Waukesha STEM Academy, are among the state's top performers. Prairie out-ranks Bethesda Elementary, eAchieve Elementary, Lowell Elementary, Hadfield Elementary, and Heyer Elementary, while spending $2,000–$4,000 less per student than the latter three. Its average ELA and math results (about 66% each in grades 3–5) run roughly 13 points above state averages, and 3rd-grade math, at 81.4%, is its strongest grade-level result.

Chronic absenteeism is a clear strength at 9.9% — well below the district (14.9%) and state (17.3%) and lower than most neighbors. Hispanic students rank in the 88th percentile statewide, and low-income students have climbed from the 43rd to the 66th percentile. Two areas to watch: special education, at the 41st percentile with 2 stars and the school's only below-average subgroup, and upper-grade math, which softened in 2025–26, including a roughly 23-point same-cohort drop in 5th-grade math.

348

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,372

Per pupil spending ?

28.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1801 Center Rd
Waukesha, WI 53189-7399

(262) 970-2205

District: Waukesha School District

Students who attend Prairie Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Les Paul Middle
High:	West High

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.0%

Hispanic:

13.5%

Two or more races:

7.8%

See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

Compare Prairie Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 38th percentile in 2016 → 73rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Wisconsin average (66% vs 55% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 35 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Wisconsin median (73rd percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school66%

District avg63%

Wisconsin avg55%

283^rd of 1,039

Wisconsin public elementary schools ?

Top 27%▲ up 35 pts since 2016

From bottom 38% (2016) to top 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Wisconsin Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 14Elementary Schools in the Waukesha School District

184^th of 432Waukesha 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	72.1	283 of 1039	72.8%	★★★★☆
2025	81.6	138 of 1044	86.8%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	190 of 1061	82.1%	★★★★☆
2023	60.2	453 of 1067	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	74.4	227 of 1067	78.7%	★★★★☆
2021	64.4	362 of 1050	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.2	510 of 1037	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.3	546 of 1025	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	53.5	536 of 1071	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2016	44.3	669 of 1075	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2015	54.6	566 of 1076	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2014	42.1	739 of 1061	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	44.0	713 of 1053	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2012	51.1	661 of 1045	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	43.8	762 of 1046	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	38.0	788 of 1045	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	43.9	724 of 1030	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	37.3	789 of 1021	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	57.8	372 of 689	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	52.9	434 of 712	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2005	67.8	239 of 632	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2004	43.9	430 of 633	32.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	72.1	260 of 986	73.6%	★★★★☆
2025	85.3	76 of 1001	92.4%	★★★★★
2024	78.4	166 of 1011	83.6%	★★★★☆
2023	57.7	460 of 1010	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	70.8	266 of 1017	73.8%	★★★★☆
2021	56.8	451 of 1004	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.6	525 of 1002	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	61.7	392 of 997	60.7%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	84.2	40 of 347	88.5%	★★★★☆
2024	70.9	76 of 331	77.0%	★★★★☆
2021	76.0	39 of 274	85.8%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	60.6	289 of 848	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.8	296 of 870	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.7	493 of 866	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	50.7	425 of 871	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	63.8	252 of 859	70.7%	★★★★☆
2021	51.9	380 of 847	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.4	560 of 874	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.7	574 of 854	32.8%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	68.5	306 of 989	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	72.6	252 of 1000	74.8%	★★★★☆
2024	73.8	235 of 1012	76.8%	★★★★☆
2023	62.2	395 of 1011	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	74.7	209 of 1017	79.4%	★★★★☆
2021	67.8	283 of 1003	71.8%	★★★★☆
2019	51.9	518 of 1002	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.2	642 of 997	35.6%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	40.9	464 of 791	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	31.1	579 of 802	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	48.4	379 of 790	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.1	280 of 770	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.3	322 of 748	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.7	286 of 742	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.8	385 of 721	46.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	61.0	262 of 697	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	78.7	118 of 718	83.6%	★★★★☆
2024	71.3	180 of 727	75.2%	★★★★☆
2023	52.8	348 of 715	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.7	204 of 704	71.0%	★★★★☆
2021	61.9	245 of 699	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.6	367 of 718	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	51.9	344 of 686	49.9%	★★★☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2026)88th percentile+16 vs school

Female (2026)74th percentile~ school

Male (2026)69th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)66th percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)62nd percentile-10 vs school

Special Education (2026)41st percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs Wisconsin (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies79%+13 vs state

Mathematics65%+12 vs state

English Language Arts65%+12 vs state

Science59%+6 vs state

★

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Schools Near Prairie Elementary

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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)				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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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	Forward Exam English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 4th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 5th 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 3rd Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 4th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 5th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 6th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 7th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 4th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 8th Grade	Forward Exam Science 4th Grade	Forward Exam Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Prairie Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1801 Center Rd	Waukesha	53189	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	No	No	No	No	(262) 970-2205	348	26	13.2	28.7%	247 (71.0%)	16 (4.6%)	47 (13.5%)	11 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.8%)	72.1	283^rd of 1039 public elementary schools	72.8%		81.6	138^th of 1044 public elementary schools	86.8%	145	72.1	60.7	65.2				81.4	60.7	56.5				78.7		59.0		$14,372	$396	$13,976
Waukesha STEM Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	1103 S East Avenue	Waukesha	53186	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	Yes	No	No	No	(262) 970-2305	580	42	13.6	25.0%	404 (69.7%)	23 (4.0%)	82 (14.1%)	31 (5.3%)	6 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (5.9%)	82.8	118^th of 1039 public elementary schools	88.6%		84.6	99^th of 1044 public elementary schools	90.5%	19	76.0	69.1	75.9	70.9	80.3	71.3	78.0	72.7	67.2	75.5	88.9	81.2	83.6	70.3	65.5	78.2	$14,819	$393	$14,426
Heyer Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1209 Heyer Dr	Waukesha	53186	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	No	No	No	Yes	(262) 970-1705	328	31	10.7	54.0%	126 (38.4%)	8 (2.4%)	174 (53.0%)	8 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.7%)	35.1	762^nd of 1039 public elementary schools	26.7%		55.5	524^th of 1044 public elementary schools	49.8%	238	26.5	37.7	59.2				49.0	52.8	44.9				49.1		30.2		$16,411	$857	$15,554
Mill Creek Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-7	S46W23850 Lawnsdale Rd	Waukesha	53189	Waukesha County	Mill Creek Academy Inc	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(262) 422-6020	324	23	13.7	35.8%	184 (56.8%)	32 (9.9%)	46 (14.2%)	8 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (16.7%)	61	431^st of 1039 public elementary schools	58.5%		49.9	587^th of 1044 public elementary schools	43.8%	156	75.0	54.2	46.7	52.0	40.0		79.3	66.7	40.0	40.0	55.0		66.7		62.5
Bethesda Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	730 S University Dr	Waukesha	53188	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	No	No	No	Yes	(262) 970-1305	401	30	13.1	39.2%	208 (51.9%)	15 (3.7%)	152 (37.9%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.2%)	76.9	216^th of 1039 public elementary schools	79.2%		71	300^th of 1044 public elementary schools	71.3%	84	54.2	68.1	66.0				68.8	72.9	70.2				81.3		72.9		$14,364	$497	$13,867
eAchieve Elementary	Public, Virtual, Charter	K-5	301 Hyde Park Avenue	Waukesha	53188	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	Yes	No	Yes	No	(262) 970-1069	111	6	18.4	45.0%	61 (55.0%)	14 (12.6%)	22 (19.8%)	1 (0.9%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (10.8%)	61.8	424^th of 1039 public elementary schools	59.2%		56.9	501^st of 1044 public elementary schools	52.0%	77	52.6	64.7	60.0				52.6	58.8	66.7				70.6		52.9		$4,448	$391	$4,057
Lowell Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	140 N Grandview Blvd	Waukesha	53188	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	No	No	No	Yes	(262) 970-1905	347	31	11.1	55.6%	210 (60.5%)	24 (6.9%)	80 (23.1%)	4 (1.2%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.8%)	45.5	656^th of 1039 public elementary schools	36.9%		42.2	696^th of 1044 public elementary schools	33.3%	40	51.0	42.2	42.2				69.4	51.6	46.7				59.4		45.3		$16,816	$1,319	$15,497
La Casa de Esperanza Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	410 Arcadian Ave	Waukesha	53186	Waukesha County	La Casa De Esperanza Inc	Yes	No	No	Yes	(262) 547-0887	310	20	15.8	72.3%	30 (9.7%)	69 (22.3%)	200 (64.5%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.9%)	9.1	939^th of 1039 public elementary schools	9.6%		11.3	934^th of 1044 public elementary schools	10.5%	5	34.4	29.0	14.8	14.8	33.3	35.0	31.3	9.7	11.1	18.5	38.9	30.0	35.5	40.0	12.9	35.0
Hadfield Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	733 Linden St	Waukesha	53186	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	No	No	No	Yes	(262) 970-1505	338	37	9.0	73.7%	169 (50.0%)	44 (13.0%)	80 (23.7%)	11 (3.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (9.8%)	39.2	730^th of 1039 public elementary schools	29.7%		35.4	765^th of 1044 public elementary schools	26.7%	35	41.2	51.3	40.7				44.0	53.9	27.8				69.2		51.3		$18,522	$2,442	$16,080
Rose Glen Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	W273S3845 Brookhill Dr	Waukesha	53189	Waukesha County	Waukesha School District	No	No	No	No	(262) 970-2405	490	30	16.2	12.2%	423 (86.3%)	6 (1.2%)	25 (5.1%)	12 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.9%)	84.1	101^st of 1039 public elementary schools	90.3%		83.5	115^th of 1044 public elementary schools	89.0%	14	71.6	69.9	63.1				83.6	84.9	81.0				79.5		74.0		$12,563	$396	$12,167

Frequently Asked Questions about Prairie Elementary

What schools do graduates of Prairie Elementary attend?

Students who attend Prairie Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Les Paul Middle
High : West High

What district is Prairie Elementary in?

Waukesha School District

How many students attend Prairie Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 348 students attended Prairie Elementary.

Is Prairie Elementary a good school?

Prairie Elementary ranks 283^rd of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Prairie Elementary?

Students at Prairie Elementary are 71% White, 14% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 5% African American, 3% Asian.

Rate Prairie Elementary!

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Latest Wisconsin data All new data »

2025–26 ACT & Forward Exam scoresOct 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.