Best Schools in Watertown, Wisconsin
23 schools · 13 Elementary · 3 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Watertown?
Use this page to compare every school in Watertown 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.
Webster Elementary
Elementary · Watertown Unified School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lincoln Elementary
Elementary · Watertown Unified School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Douglas Elementary
Elementary · Watertown Unified School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Watertown for 2026 are Webster Elementary (9.1/10), Lincoln Elementary (8.3/10), and Douglas Elementary (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
23
10 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$231,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
23
10 public · 13 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$231,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 9.1/10 despite 45% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 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 Watertown schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Watertown
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 rated schools; 23 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Webster Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Lincoln Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Douglas Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Leap Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Schurz Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Riverside Middle | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Endeavor Charter School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Watertown High | 4.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Ecampus Academy Charter School | 3.1 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $72,560
- Median home value
- $231,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Watertown compares
Wisconsin rank
#172 of 322
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Wisconsin avg (6.4)
Median household income
$73k
93% of Wisconsin median
Schools in this city
20
Watertown Unified School District runs Watertown's public schools
10 public schools. Watertown Unified School District is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Watertown is a Watertown Unified School District school (10 of 10).
Among 9 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.1 to 9.1 — the spread is inside Watertown, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Watertown, Wisconsin
Watertown's public school system spans 10 ranked schools with a citywide average score of 5.8 out of 10 — a performance profile that shows meaningful variation across grade levels. Three schools, 30% of the ranked set, clear the 7-point threshold, giving families real options at the high end while the lower half of the roster warrants closer scrutiny before committing to an address.
The strongest performers are concentrated at the elementary level. Webster Elementary leads the city with an 8.2 rating, the highest score in the system. Lincoln Elementary follows at 8.1, making the two schools nearly interchangeable at the top tier. Together they represent a genuinely strong entry point for younger students, outperforming a significant share of Wisconsin peers. Parents with elementary-age children should treat these two schools as first choices wherever attendance boundaries allow.
The middle grades offer a solid but less exceptional option. Riverside Middle scores 7.3, placing it above the city average and within that top 30% of Watertown schools. Douglas Elementary (6.5) and LEAP Elementary (6.0) round out the visible middle tier — both above the 5.8 city mean, but trailing the top cluster by a full two points or more. The remaining five ranked schools fall below the city average, pulling that mean down and widening the spread across the district.
The practical picture for parents: the gap between Watertown's best and lowest-ranked schools is wide enough to matter when choosing where to live or whether to pursue open enrollment. Webster and Lincoln deliver performance levels comparable to strong suburban systems, while options below the 5.8 average represent a real trade-off. Families with children approaching middle school should factor in Riverside's 7.3 score — a step down from the top elementaries, but still competitive within the district. Requesting current state assessment data directly from Watertown Unified and confirming enrollment boundaries before signing a lease or purchase agreement will sharpen any comparison beyond what summary ratings alone can show.
Elementary Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 373 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 | ||
| 2 | 146 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 3 | 324 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 4 | 50 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 5 | 236 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 | ||
Private Schools8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 152 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 123 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | St John's Lutheran SchoolPrivate 143 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 191 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Lebanon Lutheran SchoolPrivate 47 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 13 elementary schools in Watertown
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 649 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Henry Catholic SchoolPrivate 102 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 88 students · 3rd–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 1,087 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Luther Preparatory SchoolPrivate 409 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Maranatha Baptist AcademyPrivate 65 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | St Jude AcademyPrivate 5 students · 9th–11th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 172 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.8 |
| 2 | 142 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.1 |
Schools in Watertown
Watertown, Wisconsin · 23 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$72,560
Median Home Value
$231,800
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Population
29,656
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Community Profile
Watertown has a median household income of $72,560. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,800, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Wisconsin
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 5
- Other
- 2
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 Watertown, Wisconsin
How many schools are in Watertown, Wisconsin?
Watertown has 23 schools, including 10 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Watertown, Wisconsin?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Watertown is 6.5 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 Watertown, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Webster Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Watertown, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked elementary school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Webster Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Watertown, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked middle school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Riverside Middle with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best high school in Watertown, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked high school in Watertown on MySchoolScout is Endeavor Charter School with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Watertown, Wisconsin?
Watertown is served by 1 school district: Watertown Unified School District.
What is the education level in Watertown, Wisconsin?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Watertown have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Watertown, Wisconsin?
The median household income in Watertown is approximately $72,560 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Watertown, Wisconsin?
Yes, Watertown has 13 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Luther Preparatory School with a score of 8.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Watertown, Wisconsin?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Watertown is 14.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Watertown, 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.