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West Salem Elementary

Q: Is West Salem Elementary a good school?

West Salem Elementary ranks 380 th of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

380^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,039 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Better than 63% of Wisconsin elementary schools

Summary

West Salem Elementary is a PK–4 school serving 677 students in West Salem, Wisconsin, and is the largest elementary school in this comparison group, operating within the West Salem School District, which ranks in the 81st percentile of Wisconsin districts (84th of 432 with 4 stars) — the highest district rank among nearby systems.

In 2025–2026, West Salem Elementary scored above the state average in most tested areas: Grade 3 ELA (61.59% vs. 52.08%), Grade 4 ELA (58.59% vs. 53.87%), Grade 3 Math (60.14% vs. 54.75%), Grade 4 Math (64.06% vs. 52.87%), and Grade 4 Social Studies (78.91% vs. 65.51%). Science is the clear exception at 51.56%, slightly below the state's 53.46% and down sharply from 64.23%, 69.37%, and 74.80% in the prior three years. The school's overall statewide rank slipped to 3 stars and the 63rd percentile, down from 4 stars and the 79th percentile the year before. Compared with nearby schools, Eagle Bluff Elementary posts higher results in most subjects, while Sand Lake Elementary, Emerson Elementary, and Viking Elementary beat it in a few areas. West Salem outperforms Pertzsch Elementary in all four ELA and Math measures, and far outpaces Northside Elementary and North Woods International School.

Two other features stand out. Chronic absenteeism is exceptionally low at 3.4%, far below the state's 17.3% and the district's 5.1%, and lower than nearly every nearby school. Meanwhile, West Salem spends $14,497 per student — the least among nearby schools — and has a student-teacher ratio of 13.4, higher than most peers. Its free/reduced-lunch rate is 24.08%. For specific student groups, special education students rank in the 77th percentile with 4 stars and are improving, while low-income students fell to the 43rd percentile with 2 stars, an area worth watching.

677

Students ?

13.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,497

Per pupil spending ?

24.1%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

475 N Mark St
West Salem, WI 54669-1224

(608) 786-1662

District: West Salem School District

Students who attend West Salem Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	West Salem Middle
High:	West Salem High

Racial breakdown:

White:

92.5%

Hispanic:

2.5%

Two or more races:

1.5%

See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

Compare West Salem Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 87th percentile in 2016 → 63rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Wisconsin average (62% vs 55% meeting standards)

✓Above the Wisconsin median (63rd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 24 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school62%

District avg62%

Wisconsin avg55%

380^th of 1,039

Wisconsin public elementary schools ?

Top 37%▼ down 23 pts since 2016

From top 13% (2016) to top 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Wisconsin Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

84^th of 432West Salem 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	65.3	380 of 1039	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	76.0	218 of 1044	79.1%	★★★★☆
2024	72.4	281 of 1061	73.5%	★★★★☆
2023	69.2	314 of 1067	70.6%	★★★★☆
2022	74.4	226 of 1067	78.8%	★★★★☆
2021	59.3	438 of 1050	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	75.6	202 of 1037	80.5%	★★★★☆
2018	65.4	339 of 1025	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	69.4	305 of 1071	71.5%	★★★★☆
2016	80.9	145 of 1075	86.5%	★★★★☆
2015	78.3	145 of 1076	86.5%	★★★★☆
2014	65.9	332 of 1061	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	58.7	450 of 1053	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	66.2	360 of 1045	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	64.3	381 of 1046	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	64.8	385 of 1045	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	70.1	271 of 1030	73.7%	★★★★☆
2008	64.9	389 of 1021	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	76.3	137 of 689	80.1%	★★★★☆
2006	73.3	189 of 712	73.5%	★★★★☆
2005	66.1	262 of 632	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2004	71.9	172 of 633	72.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	61.0	406 of 986	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	78.3	162 of 1001	83.8%	★★★★☆
2024	75.6	205 of 1011	79.7%	★★★★☆
2023	71.3	254 of 1010	74.9%	★★★★☆
2022	71.0	258 of 1017	74.6%	★★★★☆
2021	47.2	571 of 1004	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	76.4	187 of 1002	81.3%	★★★★☆
2018	67.9	302 of 997	69.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	46.4	487 of 848	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	63.1	261 of 870	70.0%	★★★★☆
2024	53.6	392 of 866	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	44.0	517 of 871	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	74.5	124 of 859	85.6%	★★★★☆
2021	56.5	316 of 847	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	57.8	321 of 874	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.3	492 of 854	42.4%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	67.7	317 of 989	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.5	289 of 1000	71.1%	★★★★☆
2024	67.2	334 of 1012	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.1	328 of 1011	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	76.4	190 of 1017	81.3%	★★★★☆
2021	68.2	274 of 1003	72.7%	★★★★☆
2019	73.1	216 of 1002	78.4%	★★★★☆
2018	62.5	366 of 997	63.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	68.1	184 of 791	76.7%	★★★★☆
2025	64.2	217 of 802	72.9%	★★★★☆
2024	60.6	254 of 790	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.9	271 of 770	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	80.2	70 of 748	90.6%	★★★★★
2021	73.6	113 of 746	84.9%	★★★★☆
2019	72.8	123 of 742	83.4%	★★★★☆
2018	55.2	281 of 721	61.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Wisconsin percentile	Rating
2026	46.9	392 of 697	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	66.1	237 of 718	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.0	272 of 727	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.3	340 of 715	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.1	260 of 704	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.3	429 of 699	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	69.1	181 of 718	74.8%	★★★★☆
2018	50.9	359 of 686	47.7%	★★☆☆☆

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)77th percentile+13 vs school

Male (2026)68th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2026)59th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)44th percentile-20 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)43rd percentile-21 vs school

By subject vs Wisconsin (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies79%+13 vs state

Mathematics62%+8 vs state

English Language Arts60%+7 vs state

Science52%~ state avg

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The commitment of the staff is second to none and they continuously put the needs of the students in the forefront of their minds. They work to make sure that students that need academic support get what they need to be successful. One of the best in teh area! Close Quote

Schools Near West Salem 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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 4th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 5th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 4th Grade	Forward Exam Science 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
West Salem Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	475 N Mark St	West Salem	54669	La Crosse County	West Salem School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 786-1662	677	50	13.4	24.1%	626 (92.5%)	7 (1.0%)	17 (2.5%)	7 (1.0%)	9 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	10 (1.5%)	65.3	380^th of 1039 public elementary schools	63.4%		76	218^th of 1044 public elementary schools	79.1%	162	61.6	58.6		60.1	64.1		78.9	51.6	$14,497	$561	$13,936
Bangor Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	701 14th Ave S	Bangor	54614	La Crosse County	Bangor School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 486-2331	313	26	11.8	25.9%	274 (87.5%)	3 (1.0%)	15 (4.8%)	6 (1.9%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.2%)	48.9	612^th of 1039 public elementary schools	41.1%		62.3	427^th of 1044 public elementary schools	59.1%	185	62.8	41.9	69.4	44.2	37.2	61.2	60.5	34.9	$15,527	$578	$14,948
North Woods International School	Public	PK, KG-5	2541 Sablewood Rd	La Crosse	54601	La Crosse County	La Crosse School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 789-7000	255	28	9.2	58.8%	134 (52.5%)	26 (10.2%)	36 (14.1%)	29 (11.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (11.8%)	35.7	755^th of 1039 public elementary schools	27.3%		39.6	733^rd of 1044 public elementary schools	29.8%	22	43.2	32.5	48.6	37.8	37.5	45.7	65.0	45.0	$19,218	$1,292	$17,926
Eagle Bluff Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	200 Eagle Bluff Ct	Onalaska	54650	La Crosse County	Onalaska School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 783-2453	471	32	14.8	24.0%	329 (69.9%)	6 (1.3%)	26 (5.5%)	69 (14.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (8.5%)	79.6	168^th of 1039 public elementary schools	83.8%		77.1	206^th of 1044 public elementary schools	80.3%	38	54.3	69.3	62.4	72.9	82.7	81.2	80.0	74.7	$15,342	$250	$15,092
Pertzsch Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	524 Main St	Onalaska	54650	La Crosse County	Onalaska School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 783-5644	373	28	13.4	45.0%	250 (67.0%)	5 (1.3%)	24 (6.4%)	48 (12.9%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (11.5%)	68.8	331^st of 1039 public elementary schools	68.1%		73.2	267^th of 1044 public elementary schools	74.4%	64	58.2	57.6	62.0	58.2	62.1	78.0	80.3	59.1	$16,544	$580	$15,963
Northern Hills Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	910 East Ave N	Onalaska	54650	La Crosse County	Onalaska School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 783-4542	463	34	13.4	47.1%	280 (60.5%)	14 (3.0%)	27 (5.8%)	98 (21.2%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (8.9%)	42.4	692^nd of 1039 public elementary schools	33.4%		45.7	647^th of 1044 public elementary schools	38.0%	45	40.9	55.6	35.8	40.9	54.0	47.8	61.9	52.4	$15,049	$524	$14,525
Sand Lake Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3600 Sand Lake Rd	Holmen	54636	La Crosse County	Holmen School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 781-0974	363	33	10.9	27.8%	316 (87.1%)	2 (0.6%)	9 (2.5%)	15 (4.1%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.4%)	66.5	366^th of 1039 public elementary schools	64.8%		62.4	424^th of 1044 public elementary schools	59.4%	58	68.3	60.3	64.1	68.3	45.6	54.7	69.1	69.1	$16,737	$489	$16,248
Northside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1611 Kane St	La Crosse	54603	La Crosse County	La Crosse School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 789-7970	237	33	7.2	84.8%	97 (40.9%)	22 (9.3%)	19 (8.0%)	54 (22.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (18.6%)	14.7	911^th of 1039 public elementary schools	12.3%		17.6	890^th of 1044 public elementary schools	14.8%	21	18.2	25.8	34.2	22.7	16.1	40.5	45.2	25.8	$24,890	$2,388	$22,502
Coulee Montessori Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	1611 Kane St	La Crosse	54601	La Crosse County	La Crosse School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(608) 789-7970	118	9	13.8	66.1%	85 (72.0%)	5 (4.2%)	8 (6.8%)	7 (5.9%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (10.2%)	51.7	568^th of 1039 public elementary schools	45.3%		17.9	886^th of 1044 public elementary schools	15.1%	318	54.6	64.3	43.8	54.6	50.0	37.5	78.6	50.0	$14,882	$1,144	$13,738
Emerson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2101 Campbell Rd	La Crosse	54601	La Crosse County	La Crosse School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 789-7990	317	25	12.4	26.8%	247 (77.9%)	11 (3.5%)	23 (7.3%)	16 (5.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.0%)	67.3	355^th of 1039 public elementary schools	65.8%		55.5	518^th of 1044 public elementary schools	50.4%	163	74.0	58.7	51.2	70.0	60.9	48.8	78.7	59.6	$15,886	$541	$15,345

Frequently Asked Questions about West Salem Elementary

How many students attend West Salem Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 677 students attended West Salem Elementary.

What district is West Salem Elementary in?

West Salem School District

What schools do graduates of West Salem Elementary attend?

Students who attend West Salem Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : West Salem Middle
High : West Salem High

What is the racial makeup of West Salem Elementary?

Students at West Salem Elementary are 92% White, 3% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races, 1% American Indian, 1% African American, 1% Asian.

Is West Salem Elementary a good school?

West Salem Elementary ranks 380^th of 1039 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate West Salem 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.