Best Public Schools in Zip Code 54457

ZIP code 54457 in Nekoosa, Wisconsin is home to six schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, all within the Nekoosa School District. Total enrollment across the schools is about 1,197 students. The district is ranked 252 of 432 in Wisconsin — the 42nd percentile — with a 2-star rating. Enrollment ranges from 326 students at Alexander Middle down to just 23 at Nekoosa Academy, and several schools share campuses: Alexander Middle, WISE Academy, and Central Wisconsin STEM Academy are all at 540 Birch St, while Nekoosa High and Nekoosa Academy are both at 500 Cedar St.

Central Wisconsin STEM Academy stands out with a 2025–2026 rank of 202 of 643 — the 69th percentile and 3 stars — up from the 48th percentile a year earlier. It also reports 16.1% chronic absenteeism, below both district and state. WISE Academy posts some of the highest proficiency results in the group, including 100% in 8th grade social studies, 80% on ACT ELA, and 0.0% chronic absenteeism, though its reported 72.6 student-teacher ratio is an extreme outlier and likely reflects its alternative program model. Alexander Middle, the largest school, ranks 489 of 643 (24th percentile, 1 star), and every listed 2025–2026 test score there is below the state average. Humke Elementary, serving PK–3, is below state averages in both grade 3 ELA and math.

Absenteeism is the sharpest concern. Nekoosa Academy reports 100% chronic absenteeism, a 20% dropout rate, and a 70% graduation rate. Nekoosa High posts a strong 97.3% graduation rate and 0.3% dropout rate, but its 28.9% chronic absenteeism exceeds the district's 18.1% and the state's 17.3%, and ACT math proficiency is 29.51% versus the state's 42.93%. Spending does not track with results: Nekoosa High spends the most per student ($19,959), while WISE Academy, at $8,056, reports very high proficiency. With enrollment as small as 23 and 32 students, percentages at Nekoosa Academy and Central Wisconsin STEM Academy can shift dramatically from a single student.