Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 53186

The 53186 zip code area is home to two middle schools - Les Paul Middle and Horning Middle - both part of the Waukesha School District. While the district is ranked 166 out of 426 in Wisconsin and has a 3-star rating, the data reveals a significant performance gap between the two middle schools.

Les Paul Middle appears to be the standout school, consistently outperforming Horning Middle, the district, and the state averages in test scores across various subjects and grade levels. For instance, in the 2024-2025 school year, 62.84% of 6th graders at Les Paul Middle were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 48.72% at Horning Middle, 56.66% for the Waukesha School District, and 53.66% for the state of Wisconsin. Les Paul Middle also has a lower dropout rate and chronic absenteeism rate, as well as a higher student-teacher ratio, indicating smaller class sizes.

In contrast, Horning Middle consistently underperforms compared to Les Paul Middle, the district, and the state, with only around 40-50% of students proficient or better in most subjects and grade levels. Horning Middle also has a higher free and reduced lunch rate, suggesting a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students. These findings suggest that Horning Middle may benefit from targeted interventions and support to address the performance gap and improve student outcomes.