Wisconsin is the #16 largest school system in the United States, serving 806,117 students across the 2,186 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 954 private schools, serving 147,262 students). 85% of all K-12 students in Wisconsin attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Wisconsin is 40%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 39%.
The top-ranked public schools in Wisconsin are Leonardo Da Vinci School For Gifted Learners, Odyssey-magellan, and Parkview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 34%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Wisconsin (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Leonardo Da Vinci School For Gifted Learners
(Math: 93% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
139 S Monroe Ave
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 448-2135
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 448-2135
Rank: #22.
Odyssey-magellan
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 2-8
2037 N Elinor St
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 832-6250
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 832-6250
Rank: #33.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 77% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
W72n853 Harrison Ave
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 376-6800
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 376-6800
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Tonawanda Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
13605 Underwood River Pkwy
Elm Grove, WI 53122
(262) 785-3950
Elm Grove, WI 53122
(262) 785-3950
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Wauwatosa Stem
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1060 N Glenview Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 773-1900
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 773-1900
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Woodland Intermediate
(Math: 86% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 77% (Top 1%)
Grades: 5-6
N9085 N Coop Rd
Appleton, WI 54915
(920) 730-0924
Appleton, WI 54915
(920) 730-0924
Rank: #77.
Mill Valley Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 76% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
W191s6445 Hillendale Dr
Muskego, WI 53150
(262) 971-1830
Muskego, WI 53150
(262) 971-1830
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1741 N Wauwatosa Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 773-1300
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 773-1300
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Shorewood Hills Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1105 Shorewood Blvd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1200
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-1200
Rank: #1010.
Lakeview Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
26335 Fries Ln
Waterford, WI 53185
(262) 971-1850
Waterford, WI 53185
(262) 971-1850
Overview
This State (WI)
US
# Schools
2,186 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
806,117 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
# Teachers
58,787 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (WI)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
43%
Graduation Rate
90.5%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
36%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.54
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
8,967 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
35,048 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
4%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
116,750 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
70,594 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
9%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
528,720 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
66%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
637 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
44,911 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (WI)
Statewide Total Revenue
$15,725 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$15,218 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$19,507
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$18,878
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Wisconsin Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Wisconsin?
The top-ranked public schools in Wisconsin include Leonardo Da Vinci School For Gifted Learners, Odyssey-magellan, and Parkview Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Wisconsin?
2,186 public schools are located in Wisconsin.
What percentage of students in Wisconsin go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Wisconsin attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wisconsin?
Minority enrollment in Wisconsin is 34%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Wisconsin are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wisconsin include: De Soto Middle School vs. Waunakee Middle School, West Elementary School vs. North Elementary School, Benjamin Franklin Junior High School vs. P J Jacobs Junior High School
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