The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has released its annual school and district report cards, showing that an overwhelming majority of public school districts are meeting or exceeding state expectations. The data reveals that 94% of districts earned a rating of three stars or higher on a five-star scale.
This year's results highlight a landscape of consistent performance across the state, with approximately half of all districts achieving a four or five-star rating. While many communities are celebrating top marks, the report also identifies a small number of schools that are facing significant challenges in meeting state benchmarks.
Key Takeaways
- 94% of Wisconsin's public school districts received a rating of three stars or higher, indicating they meet or exceed expectations.
- 42 school districts across the state, including the Unified School District of De Pere, earned the top five-star rating.
- Performance is evaluated based on four key areas: Achievement, Growth, Target Group Outcomes, and On-Track to Graduation.
- While many schools excelled, at least seven in Northeast Wisconsin were identified as failing to meet state expectations, signaling a need for targeted support.
Decoding the State's Evaluation System
Each year, the DPI provides a detailed performance review for every public school and district in Wisconsin. This system is designed to offer a transparent look at how well schools are serving their students. The ratings, which range from one to five stars, provide a simple summary of a school's overall performance.
A five-star rating indicates a district or school significantly exceeds expectations, while a three-star rating means it meets expectations. Ratings below three stars suggest a school is falling short of state standards and may require additional support and intervention.
The Four Pillars of Performance
The overall star rating is not an arbitrary grade. It is calculated from performance across four distinct priority areas:
- Achievement: This measures students' proficiency in English language arts and mathematics on statewide assessments.
- Growth: This evaluates how much student knowledge has grown from year to year, comparing them to similar students across the state.
- Target Group Outcomes: This focuses on the performance of specific student groups, ensuring that schools are closing achievement gaps for students with disabilities, English learners, and economically disadvantaged students.
- On-Track to Graduation: This metric assesses high school performance by tracking attendance, graduation rates, and other indicators of college and career readiness.
By breaking down performance into these categories, the report cards aim to give parents, educators, and community members a more complete picture than a single test score could provide. It allows districts to identify specific areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
Spotlight on High-Achieving Districts and Schools
This year's report cards brought welcome news for many communities, with dozens of districts demonstrating exceptional educational outcomes. A total of 42 districts statewide earned the prestigious five-star rating, placing them in the top tier of performance.
Among them is the Unified School District of De Pere, which stands out as a leading district in the state. This top rating reflects consistently high performance across all evaluated metrics, from student test scores to graduation rates.
The success story extends throughout Northeast Wisconsin, where at least 49 individual schools also received five-star ratings. These schools serve as models of excellence, showcasing effective teaching strategies and strong student support systems.
A Near-Perfect Score
One of the highest-rated schools in the state this year is Woodland Intermediate in Kimberly. The school achieved an impressive score of 98.5 out of a possible 100, demonstrating outstanding results in student achievement and growth.
Districts like Appleton, Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac also performed well, with each earning a solid four-star rating, signifying they exceed state expectations. This level of consistent high performance across a region points to a strong commitment to educational quality.
Addressing the Areas of Concern
While the statewide picture is largely positive, the report cards also serve the critical function of identifying schools that are struggling to meet the needs of their students. According to the data, at least seven schools in the Northeast Wisconsin region received ratings that indicate they failed to meet the DPI’s expectations.
The lowest-rated school in the area was identified as Columbus Elementary in Appleton. Other schools facing significant challenges include Edison Middle School in Green Bay and Gillett High School. These ratings trigger a process of review and support from the state, aimed at helping these schools develop and implement improvement plans.
For these schools, the report cards are not a final judgment but a call to action. The detailed data helps school leaders pinpoint the root causes of their challenges, whether they lie in academic achievement, student growth, or closing gaps between different student groups. The goal is to provide targeted resources and strategies to foster a turnaround and ensure every student has access to a quality education.
A Tool for Community Engagement
The DPI emphasizes that the report cards are intended to be a tool for communities. All ratings for both public and private schools participating in choice programs are made available to the public on the department's website. This transparency allows parents to understand how their local school is performing and engage in conversations about school improvement.
Educators use the data to refine their instructional methods, while district administrators can make informed decisions about resource allocation. For taxpayers and community members, the report cards offer a measure of accountability for the significant public investment in education.
As districts across Wisconsin digest their results, the focus now shifts from evaluation to action. For high-performing districts, the challenge is to maintain their trajectory of excellence. For those that fell short, the report card is the first step on a path toward meaningful and necessary improvement.