Best Schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin
28 schools · 14 Elementary · 5 Middle · 4 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in La Crosse?
Use this page to compare every school in La Crosse by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
School of Technology and Arts I
Elementary · La Crosse School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Spence Elementary
Elementary · La Crosse School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Southern Bluffs Elementary
Elementary · La Crosse School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in La Crosse for 2026 are School of Technology and Arts I (8.3/10), Spence Elementary (8.3/10), and Southern Bluffs Elementary (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 18 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
28
19 public · 9 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$197,850
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
28
19 public · 9 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$197,850
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.3/10 despite 58% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among La Crosse schools.
Top-Rated Schools in La Crosse
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 18 rated schools; 28 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of Technology and Arts I | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Spence Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Southern Bluffs Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | North Woods International School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Emerson Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 6 | State Road Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Logan Middle | 6.9 / 10 |
| 8 | La Crosse Polytechnic School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Hamilton Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Longfellow Middle | 6.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $54,886
- Median home value
- $197,850
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How La Crosse compares
Wisconsin rank
#189 of 322
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Wisconsin avg (6.4)
Median household income
$55k
70% of Wisconsin median
Schools in this city
26
La Crosse School District runs La Crosse's public schools
19 public schools. La Crosse School District is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in La Crosse is a La Crosse School District school (19 of 19).
Among 18 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.0 to 8.3 — the spread is inside La Crosse, not a citywide average.
About Schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse runs 19 ranked public schools with a city average of 6.0 out of 10 — a middling baseline that covers real variation across campuses. Six of those 19 schools, 32%, score 7 or higher, so parents who research individual campuses can access meaningfully better-than-average options without leaving the district. The spread between the top school and the city mean is nearly three full points, which tells you the average masks a genuinely tiered landscape.
School of Technology and Arts I leads the city with a 9.1 — the strongest score in La Crosse by a clear margin. Spence Elementary follows at 8.1, Southern Bluffs Elementary at 7.4. Three of the city's five highest-scoring campuses are elementary schools, which concentrates the strongest academic performers at the grade level where many families start their search. That pattern matters: if you have a school-age child who hasn't yet reached middle school, the elementary tier is where La Crosse's best options sit.
The middle school data narrows the picture further. Logan Middle scores 7.3, landing it solidly above the city average and making it the standout option at its grade level. State Road Elementary rounds out the top five at 7.2. Beyond those five, the remaining 14 ranked schools cluster around the 6.0 city average — functional but unremarkable on the metrics MySchoolScout tracks.
For parents weighing neighborhoods, the score gap between top and middle is wide enough to drive real decisions. A school scoring 9.1 and one scoring 6.0 both carry a La Crosse address, but they represent different academic environments. Check individual school scores and verify boundary maps before committing to a zip code — in a city this size, a few blocks can determine which campus your child attends.
Elementary Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 122 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 315 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 3 | 320 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 4 | 260 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 5 | 323 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 6 | 297 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 7 | 146 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 |
| 8 | 303 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 |
| 9 | 254 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 |
| 10 | 215 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.7 |
Show all 14 elementary schools in La Crosse
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 462 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 625 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 34 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Blessed Sacrament SchoolPrivate 173 students · 3rd–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Aquinas High SchoolPrivate 157 students · 7th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 106 students · 6th–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 1,014 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 3 | 715 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Driftless Pass SchoolPrivate 8 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.4 | ||
| 2 | 78 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.0 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ChiledaPrivate 61 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Aquinas Catholic SchoolsPrivate 954 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 26 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin · 28 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$54,886
Median Home Value
$197,850
Median Rent
$967/mo
Population
64,655
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Community Profile
La Crosse has a median household income of $54,886. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,850, with a median rent of $967/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Wisconsin
- Elementary
- 14
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 4
- Other
- 5
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Wisconsin
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin
How many schools are in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
La Crosse has 28 schools, including 19 public and 9 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in La Crosse is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked school in La Crosse on MySchoolScout is School of Technology and Arts I with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked elementary school in La Crosse on MySchoolScout is School of Technology and Arts I with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked middle school in La Crosse on MySchoolScout is Logan Middle with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked high school in La Crosse on MySchoolScout is La Crosse Polytechnic School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve La Crosse, Wisconsin?
La Crosse is served by 1 school district: La Crosse School District.
What is the education level in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in La Crosse have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The median household income in La Crosse is approximately $54,886 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
Yes, La Crosse has 9 private schools alongside 19 public schools. The top-rated private school is Chileda with a score of 8.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in La Crosse is 11.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Wisconsin Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.