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Waupaca Learning Center Elementary

Q: Is Waupaca Learning Center Elementary a good school?

Waupaca Learning Center Elementary ranks 675 th of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

675^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,039 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Better than 35% of Wisconsin elementary schools

Summary

Waupaca Learning Center Elementary is a public PK–4 school in Waupaca, Wisconsin, serving 602 students in the Waupaca School District. In 2025–2026 it ranked 675th out of 1,039 Wisconsin elementary schools (35th percentile, 2 stars), down from the 76th percentile in 2016–2017. The district ranks 183rd out of 432 districts (58th percentile, 3 stars). About 51.66% of students received free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025, and chronic absenteeism was 9.9%—better than the district (11.0%) and state (17.3%), but higher than every nearby comparison school. The school spends $17,352 per student, the most in its comparison group, and has the lowest student–teacher ratio (10.7).

Compared with nearby schools, Waupaca Learning Center is much larger, enrolling more than double most peers. Its 4th-grade proficiency is below the state in every subject: ELA 43.22 vs. 53.87, math 46.61 vs. 52.87, science 41.53 vs. 53.46, and social studies 55.08 vs. 65.51. Third-grade ELA is a bright spot: 62.73% proficient, above the state’s 52.08%. Within the same district, Chain Exploration Center ranks in the 80th percentile (4 stars), with 2.2% chronic absenteeism and much higher 4th-grade proficiency. Parkview Elementary has a similar poverty rate but ranks in the 80th percentile and outperforms Waupaca Learning Center in all 4th-grade subjects. Fremont Elementary ranks in the 94th percentile. This shows poverty alone does not explain results.

The school’s high spending and low student–teacher ratio have not translated into strong outcomes, suggesting instruction and targeted supports matter. Fourth-grade proficiency dropped sharply from 2024–2025, and science is a particular concern. Absenteeism is another local weakness. Some student groups, including English language learners and low-income students, need more support. The bottom line: Waupaca Learning Center is a large, high-poverty school with generous resources but declining academics; improving teaching effectiveness and targeted student supports—not simply adding money—will be key to reversing the trend.

602

Students ?

10.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,352

Per pupil spending ?

51.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

93%

Kindergartners meeting all minimum immunization requirements (2025-26)

1515 Shoemaker Rd
Waupaca, WI 54981-2093

(715) 258-4141

District: Waupaca School District

Students who attend Waupaca Learning Center Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Waupaca Middle
High:	Waupaca High

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.1%

Hispanic:

10.6%

Two or more races:

5.0%

See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

Compare Waupaca Learning Center Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 74th percentile in 2016 → 35th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Wisconsin average (50% vs 55% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 39 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg53%

Wisconsin avg55%

675^th of 1,039

Wisconsin public elementary schools ?

Bottom 35%▼ down 39 pts since 2016

From top 26% (2016) to bottom 35% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Wisconsin Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Elementary Schools in the Waupaca School District

183^rd of 432Waupaca 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	43.6	675 of 1039	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.5	547 of 1044	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.8	596 of 1061	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	63.3	408 of 1067	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.8	334 of 1067	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	40.3	702 of 1050	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.5	537 of 1037	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	58.6	445 of 1025	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	72.5	255 of 1071	76.2%	★★★★☆
2016	70.9	275 of 1075	74.4%	★★★★☆
2015	68.1	318 of 1076	70.4%	★★★★☆
2014	62.2	399 of 1061	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	59.2	439 of 1053	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	67.9	326 of 1045	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	70.9	247 of 1046	76.4%	★★★★☆
2010	70.9	258 of 1045	75.3%	★★★★☆
2009	63.7	419 of 1030	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2008	62.9	420 of 1021	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	70.1	218 of 689	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	69.0	245 of 712	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2005	64.0	285 of 632	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2004	62.4	282 of 633	55.5%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	12.5	242 of 245	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	65.2	61 of 269	77.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	40.5	680 of 986	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.5	559 of 1001	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	56.8	495 of 1011	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.5	345 of 1010	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.0	329 of 1017	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	41.3	650 of 1004	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.3	574 of 1002	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	61.1	401 of 997	59.8%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	34.6	242 of 347	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	57.3	118 of 331	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	37.1	161 of 266	39.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	38.9	564 of 848	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	43.2	539 of 870	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	50.3	444 of 866	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	56.3	354 of 871	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.7	280 of 859	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	29.3	659 of 847	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	53.7	375 of 874	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.0	460 of 854	46.1%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	46.2	619 of 989	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	55.2	488 of 1000	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.9	598 of 1012	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.6	420 of 1011	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.2	320 of 1017	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	40.7	665 of 1003	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	56.2	458 of 1002	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.4	436 of 997	56.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	42.1	446 of 791	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	61.9	240 of 802	70.1%	★★★★☆
2024	47.6	391 of 790	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.2	378 of 770	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.3	312 of 748	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	21.4	638 of 746	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	51.8	307 of 742	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.1	257 of 721	64.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	30.7	533 of 697	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	34.3	523 of 718	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	34.2	533 of 727	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	46.3	419 of 715	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	48.5	394 of 704	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	21.6	602 of 699	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	38.7	487 of 718	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.1	431 of 686	37.2%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2026)44th percentile+9 vs school

Male (2026)37th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)33rd percentile~ school

Female (2026)31st percentile-4 vs school

Hispanic (2026)30th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)24th percentile-12 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)1st percentile-34 vs school

By subject vs Wisconsin (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies55%-10 vs state

English Language Arts53%~ state avg

Mathematics50%-4 vs state

Science42%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Waupaca Learning Center 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 English Language Arts 6th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 7th 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 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
Waupaca Learning Center Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	1515 Shoemaker Rd	Waupaca	54981	Waupaca County	Waupaca School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 258-4141	602	56	10.7	51.7%	494 (82.1%)	8 (1.3%)	64 (10.6%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.0%)	43.6	675^th of 1039 public elementary schools	35.0%		53.5	547^th of 1044 public elementary schools	47.6%	128	62.7	43.2				53.6	46.6				55.1	41.5	93%		$17,352	$913	$16,440
Chain Exploration Center	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	N3160 Silver Lake Dr	Waupaca	54981	Waupaca County	Waupaca School District	Yes	No	No	No	(715) 258-4151	139	12	11.8	33.1%	126 (90.6%)	1 (0.7%)	4 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (5.8%)	77	212^th of 1039 public elementary schools	79.6%		78.2	188^th of 1044 public elementary schools	82.0%	24	70.6	72.2	57.9	66.7	71.4	82.4	77.8	63.2	61.1	78.6	77.8	66.7	83%		$15,241	$465	$14,775
Weyauwega Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	400 E Ann St	Weyauwega	54983	Waupaca County	Weyauwega-Fremont School District	No	No	No	(n/a)	(920) 867-8165	257	21	12.3	52.1%	218 (84.8%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (10.5%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	10 (3.9%)	53.5	550^th of 1039 public elementary schools	47.1%		57.7	492^nd of 1044 public elementary schools	52.9%	58	22.2	50.0	64.3			25.9	57.1	73.8			64.3	57.1	81%		$14,105	$601	$13,504
Manawa Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	800 Beech St	Manawa	54949	Waupaca County	Manawa School District	No	No	No	Yes	(920) 596-5700	221	17	12.7	52.0%	193 (87.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (8.1%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (4.1%)	32.3	783^rd of 1039 public elementary schools	24.6%		52.3	563^rd of 1044 public elementary schools	46.1%	220	30.3	47.8	53.1			34.4	30.4	43.8			52.2	43.5	≥ 95%		$16,926	$1,917	$15,010
Fremont Elementary	Public	K-5	615 Wolf River Dr	Fremont	54983	Waupaca County	Weyauwega-Fremont School District	No	No	No	(n/a)	(920) 867-8065	97	6	17.1	25.8%	92 (94.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.1%)	87.8	63^rd of 1039 public elementary schools	93.9%		76.9	209^th of 1044 public elementary schools	80.0%	146	84.6	76.2	72.7			53.9	95.2	72.7			95.2	85.7	83%		$14,819	$3,062	$11,757
Iola-Scandinavia Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	450 Division St	Iola	54945	Waupaca County	Iola-Scandinavia School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 445-2411	293	24	12.4	36.9%	279 (95.2%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	58.2	476^th of 1039 public elementary schools	54.2%		65.3	377^th of 1044 public elementary schools	63.9%	99	40.0	53.6	65.7	63.0		50.0	53.6	57.1	45.7		78.6	64.3	85%		$15,115	$598	$14,516
Amherst Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	357 N Main St	Amherst	54406	Portage County	Tomorrow River School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 824-5523	342	24	14.5	26.6%	322 (94.2%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.5%)	63.4	401^st of 1039 public elementary schools	61.4%		80.7	150^th of 1044 public elementary schools	85.6%	251	57.9	54.6				56.1	60.0				70.9	69.1	86%		$12,772	$559	$12,214
Wild Rose Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	825 Mt Morris St	Wild Rose	54984	Waushara County	Wild Rose School District	No	No	No	Yes	(920) 622-4204	276	24	11.6	47.1%	232 (84.1%)	3 (1.1%)	28 (10.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.0%)	60.7	435^th of 1039 public elementary schools	58.1%		75.2	234^th of 1044 public elementary schools	77.6%	201	69.1	51.0	56.8			57.1	46.9	59.1			75.5	57.1	84%		$13,985	$1,129	$12,856
Readfield Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	E9177 State Highway 96	Readfield	54969	Waupaca County	New London School District	No	No	No	No	(920) 250-6590	121	8	14.5	17.4%	112 (92.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.0%)	60.8	434^th of 1039 public elementary schools	58.2%		75.8	221^st of 1044 public elementary schools	78.8%	213	42.9	55.0				66.7	75.0				75.0	50.0	81%		$15,484	$545	$14,939
Parkview Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	1300 Werner Allen Rd	New London	54961	Waupaca County	New London School District	No	No	No	Yes	(920) 982-8538	264	20	13.3	47.0%	218 (82.6%)	4 (1.5%)	28 (10.6%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.5%)	77.3	207^th of 1039 public elementary schools	80.1%		80.5	153^rd of 1044 public elementary schools	85.3%	54	71.4	65.2				69.4	69.6				76.1	69.6	78%		$14,665	$983	$13,682

Frequently Asked Questions about Waupaca Learning Center Elementary

How many students attend Waupaca Learning Center Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 602 students attended Waupaca Learning Center Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Waupaca Learning Center Elementary?

Students at Waupaca Learning Center Elementary are 82% White, 11% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 1% African American.

Is Waupaca Learning Center Elementary a good school?

Waupaca Learning Center Elementary ranks 675^th of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Waupaca Learning Center Elementary in?

Waupaca School District

What schools do graduates of Waupaca Learning Center Elementary attend?

Students who attend Waupaca Learning Center Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Waupaca Middle
High : Waupaca High

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Latest Wisconsin data All new data »

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

2016–17 through 2017–18 immunization rates (updated)Oct 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.