Best High Schools in Zip Code 54961

Zip code 54961 has two public high schools, both in the New London School District and both serving grades 9–12: New London High and Catalyst Academy. The district is ranked 238 of 432 in Wisconsin, at the 45th percentile with 2 stars, but that average hides two very different schools. New London High enrolls 660 students, while Catalyst Academy enrolls 32, so Catalyst Academy is only about 4.6% of the two schools’ combined high-school enrollment.

New London High is the standout, ranking 80 of 533 in 2025–2026 (85th percentile, 4 stars), after 69 of 431 (84th percentile, 4 stars) and 34 of 431 (92nd percentile, 5 stars). It has a 98.1% graduation rate, 0.3% dropout rate, and 6.2% chronic absenteeism, all better than district and state figures. Catalyst Academy faces severe challenges: it ranks 504 of 533 (5th percentile, 0 stars), with an 88.2% graduation rate, 9.3% dropout rate, and 58.3% chronic absenteeism. It also has a 71.88% free/reduced-lunch rate versus 29.7% at New London High. Because Catalyst Academy is very small, its percentages may reflect a small number of students, but the gaps are still striking.

In 2025–2026, New London High’s test scores are consistently above district and state: Social Studies 61.59%, ELA 56.62%, Math 55.15%, and Science 55.88%, compared with state rates of 48.25%, 48.47%, 42.93%, and 43.20%. Its main watch item is ELA, which fell from 64.56% in 2024–2025 to 56.62%. Catalyst Academy reports 20% ELA and 0% Math and Science ACT proficiency, with no Social Studies result listed for 2025–2026. Spending differs too: New London High spends $14,107 per student versus $10,933 at Catalyst Academy, while student-teacher ratios are similar (14.3 vs. 13.9). Overall, families should see New London High as a strong comprehensive high school, while Catalyst Academy is a small, high-poverty school with much higher absenteeism and lower reported outcomes.