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Arboretum Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-4

45^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,039 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Better than 96% of Wisconsin elementary schools

Summary

Arboretum Elementary is a PK–4 public school in Waunakee, Wisconsin, serving 435 students as part of the Waunakee Community School District, which ranks 27th of 432 districts statewide. Arboretum ranked 45th of 1,039 Wisconsin elementary schools in 2025–26 — the 96th percentile with 5 stars — after a brief dip to 88th percentile (4 stars) in 2024–25. Historically, it has placed as high as 4th in the state.

Academically, Arboretum leads its same-district peers Waunakee Heritage Elementary and Waunakee Prairie Elementary in every reported 2025–26 area except 4th-grade math, where Heritage is ahead by just 0.06 points. It also outscored Northside Elementary in Middleton in all six reported areas. Its standout result is 4th-grade social studies at 90.43% proficient, versus 82.08% at Heritage, 75.49% at Prairie, 85.07% at Northside, and 65.51% statewide. The gap with Madison Metropolitan School District schools is far wider — 4th-grade ELA at Arboretum is 84.04%, compared with 38.60% at Sandburg Elementary, 27.78% at Lake View Elementary, 38.46% at Lindbergh Elementary, and 39.53% at Mendota Elementary — though those schools serve far more low-income students and spend more per student.

Subgroup results are strong: male students have ranked in the 97th percentile for three straight years, and the special education subgroup climbed from the 40th percentile in 2022–23 to the 92nd–93rd percentile in 2024–25 and 2025–26. Chronic absenteeism is 9.9%, below the district's 11.6% and the state's 17.3%, but higher than Prairie (7.0%), Heritage (8.2%), Yahara Elementary (2.7%), and Windsor Elementary (2.5%). Only 3.22% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch — the lowest among nearby schools — and per-student spending is $16,829 with a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio, less money and larger classes than most peers. Overall, Arboretum is a consistently high-performing, efficient school within an already strong district.

435

Students ?

13.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,829

Per pupil spending ?

3.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

94%

Kindergartners meeting all minimum immunization requirements (2025-26)

1350 Arboretum Dr
Waunakee, WI 53597

(608) 849-1800

District: Waunakee Community School District

Students who attend Arboretum Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Waunakee Intermediate
	Waunakee Middle
High:	Waunakee High

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.4%

Two or more races:

6.2%

Asian:

4.4%

See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

Compare Arboretum Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2016 → 96th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Wisconsin average (81% vs 55% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 4% of Wisconsin elementary schools

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school81%

District avg75%

Wisconsin avg55%

45^th of 1,039

Wisconsin public elementary schools ?

Top 4%▼ down 3 pts since 2016

From top 1% (2016) to top 4% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Wisconsin Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3Elementary Schools in the Waunakee Community School District

27^th of 432Waunakee Community 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	89.2	45 of 1039	95.7%	★★★★★
2025	83.4	121 of 1044	88.4%	★★★★☆
2024	88.8	45 of 1061	95.8%	★★★★★
2023	90.9	39 of 1067	96.3%	★★★★★
2022	88.0	62 of 1067	94.2%	★★★★★
2021	86.9	84 of 1050	92.0%	★★★★★
2019	93.7	12 of 1037	98.8%	★★★★★
2018	90.2	38 of 1025	96.3%	★★★★★
2017	96.3	4 of 1071	99.6%	★★★★★
2016	94.7	9 of 1075	99.2%	★★★★★
2015	90.5	13 of 1076	98.8%	★★★★★
2014	92.7	4 of 1061	99.6%	★★★★★
2013	90.0	18 of 1053	98.3%	★★★★★
2012	83.8	31 of 1045	97.0%	★★★★★
2011	81.2	74 of 1046	92.9%	★★★★★
2010	86.3	19 of 1045	98.2%	★★★★★
2009	84.6	30 of 1030	97.1%	★★★★★
2008	84.3	29 of 1021	97.2%	★★★★★
2007	81.1	70 of 689	89.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	85.4	77 of 986	92.2%	★★★★★
2025	71.5	273 of 1001	72.7%	★★★★☆
2024	84.1	79 of 1011	92.2%	★★★★★
2023	90.0	38 of 1010	96.2%	★★★★★
2022	90.7	32 of 1017	96.9%	★★★★★
2021	91.8	26 of 1004	97.4%	★★★★★
2019	91.2	23 of 1002	97.7%	★★★★★
2018	85.1	76 of 997	92.4%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2019	67.3	207 of 874	76.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	90.1	27 of 989	97.3%	★★★★★
2025	89.2	34 of 1000	96.6%	★★★★★
2024	90.4	29 of 1012	97.1%	★★★★★
2023	89.6	38 of 1011	96.2%	★★★★★
2022	82.9	113 of 1017	88.9%	★★★★☆
2021	78.4	148 of 1003	85.2%	★★★★☆
2019	94.1	13 of 1002	98.7%	★★★★★
2018	92.8	19 of 997	98.1%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	91.5	3 of 142	97.9%	★★★★★
2025	68.6	26 of 113	77.0%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	85.1	54 of 791	93.2%	★★★★★
2025	83.1	67 of 802	91.6%	★★★★★
2023	39.2	465 of 770	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	73.3	120 of 748	84.0%	★★★★☆
2021	60.3	220 of 746	70.5%	★★★★☆
2018	89.3	31 of 721	95.7%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	83.5	70 of 697	90.0%	★★★★★
2025	74.9	153 of 718	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	83.2	71 of 727	90.2%	★★★★★
2023	84.5	58 of 715	91.9%	★★★★★
2022	84.1	62 of 704	91.2%	★★★★★
2021	80.0	90 of 699	87.1%	★★★★☆
2019	93.0	15 of 718	97.9%	★★★★★
2018	88.2	40 of 686	94.2%	★★★★★

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)

Multi-racial (2026)98th percentile~ school

Male (2026)97th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)93rd percentile~ school

Female (2026)92nd percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)90th percentile-6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2019)76th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs Wisconsin (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies90%+25 vs state

English Language Arts81%+28 vs state

Science78%+24 vs state

Mathematics77%+24 vs state

3.0

2 ratings

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Schools Near Arboretum 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 Vaccination 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)	Vaccination (2025-26)		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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 4th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 5th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 4th Grade	Forward Exam Science 4th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners meeting all minimum immunization requirements	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Arboretum Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	1350 Arboretum Dr	Waunakee	53597	Dane County	Waunakee Community School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 849-1800	435	32	13.5	3.2%	367 (84.4%)	4 (0.9%)	18 (4.1%)	19 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.2%)	89.2	45^th of 1039 public elementary schools	95.7%		83.4	121^st of 1044 public elementary schools	88.4%	76	78.2	84.0		80.5	74.5		90.4	77.7	94%		$16,829	$263	$16,566
Waunakee Prairie Elementary	Public	K-4	700 N Madison St	Waunakee	53597	Dane County	Waunakee Community School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 849-2200	531	44	12.2	5.3%	440 (82.9%)	11 (2.1%)	33 (6.2%)	19 (3.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.1%)	78.2	192^nd of 1039 public elementary schools	81.5%		78.6	184^th of 1044 public elementary schools	82.4%	8	71.8	65.7		72.7	69.6		75.5	69.6	92%		$17,015	$268	$16,747
Lindbergh Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4500 Kennedy Rd	Madison	53704	Dane County	Madison Metropolitan School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 204-6500	180	18	9.8	77.2%	32 (17.8%)	57 (31.7%)	36 (20.0%)	18 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (20.6%)	13.7	917^th of 1039 public elementary schools	11.7%		8.9	948^th of 1044 public elementary schools	9.2%	31	6.7	38.5	20.8	6.7	23.1	8.3	50.0	34.6	84%		$28,028	$1,284	$26,744
Waunakee Heritage Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	6271 Woodland Drive	Waunakee	53597	Dane County	Waunakee Community School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 849-2030	537	45	11.9	15.6%	405 (75.4%)	5 (0.9%)	78 (14.5%)	11 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	36 (6.7%)	83.8	106^th of 1039 public elementary schools	89.8%		84.6	98^th of 1044 public elementary schools	90.6%	8	70.5	79.3		72.4	74.5		82.1	73.6	≥ 95%		$17,867	$354	$17,513
Gompers Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1502 Wyoming Way	Madison	53704	Dane County	Madison Metropolitan School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 204-4520	217	24	9.0	49.3%	103 (47.5%)	43 (19.8%)	37 (17.1%)	7 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (12.4%)	42.9	687^th of 1039 public elementary schools	33.9%		43.4	675^th of 1044 public elementary schools	35.3%	12	56.0	53.3	50.0	40.0	26.7	34.4	73.3	50.0	93%		$21,970	$831	$21,139
Mendota Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4002 School Rd	Madison	53704	Dane County	Madison Metropolitan School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 204-7840	282	29	9.5	72.7%	46 (16.3%)	139 (49.3%)	40 (14.2%)	10 (3.5%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (15.6%)	17.1	890^th of 1039 public elementary schools	14.3%		21.3	866^th of 1044 public elementary schools	17.0%	24	16.1	39.5	28.6	22.6	39.5	14.3	41.9	32.6	76%		$23,866	$1,489	$22,376
Lake View Elementary	Public	K-5	1802 Tennyson Ln	Madison	53704	Dane County	Madison Metropolitan School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 204-4040	292	33	8.9	73.6%	26 (8.9%)	53 (18.2%)	81 (27.7%)	103 (35.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (9.6%)	19.5	867^th of 1039 public elementary schools	16.6%		23	853^rd of 1044 public elementary schools	18.3%	14	23.8	27.8	32.1	31.0	43.4	17.0	57.4	27.8	86%		$24,632	$1,759	$22,873
Windsor Elementary	Public	K-3	4352 Windsor Rd	Windsor	53598	Dane County	De Forest Area School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 842-6300	526	38	14.0	14.1%	418 (79.5%)	14 (2.7%)	29 (5.5%)	19 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	45 (8.6%)								(n/a)	62.4			66.7					91%		$15,133	$349	$14,784
Yahara Elementary	Public	K-3	234 N Lexington Pkwy	DeForest	53532	Dane County	De Forest Area School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 842-6400	329	27	12.2	15.5%	269 (81.8%)	5 (1.5%)	28 (8.5%)	10 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.2%)								(n/a)	52.9			62.1					92%		$17,830	$337	$17,492
Sandburg Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4114 Donald Dr	Madison	53704	Dane County	Madison Metropolitan School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 204-7940	410	40	10.2	57.3%	76 (18.5%)	59 (14.4%)	199 (48.5%)	22 (5.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (12.9%)	20.7	858^th of 1039 public elementary schools	17.4%		15.7	902^nd of 1044 public elementary schools	13.6%	44	37.7	38.6	35.9	38.7	22.4	22.2	46.6	32.8	79%		$25,290	$789	$24,502

Frequently Asked Questions about Arboretum Elementary

How many students attend Arboretum Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 435 students attended Arboretum Elementary.

Is Arboretum Elementary a good school?

Yes! Arboretum Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 45^th of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Arboretum Elementary?

Students at Arboretum Elementary are 84% White, 6% Two or more races, 4% Asian, 4% Hispanic.

What district is Arboretum Elementary in?

Waunakee Community School District

What schools do graduates of Arboretum Elementary attend?

Students who attend Arboretum Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Waunakee Intermediate
Middle : Waunakee Middle
High : Waunakee High

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Latest Wisconsin data All new data »

2018–19 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 20, 2026

2016–17 through 2017–18 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 ACT & Forward Exam scoresOct 1, 2026

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

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.