Best Schools in Waunakee, Wisconsin
9 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Waunakee?
Use this page to compare every school in Waunakee 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.
Waunakee Intermediate
Middle · Waunakee Community School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Madison Country Day School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Waunakee Heritage Elementary
Elementary · Waunakee Community School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Waunakee for 2026 are Waunakee Intermediate (9.0/10), Madison Country Day School (9.0/10), and Waunakee Heritage Elementary (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.6
out of 10
Median Home
$462,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.6
out of 10
Median Home
$462,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Waunakee
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waunakee Intermediate | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Madison Country Day School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Waunakee Heritage Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Arboretum Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Waunakee Middle | 8.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Waunakee Prairie Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 7 | St John the Baptist Catholic School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Waunakee High | 7.0 / 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
- 7.6/10
- Median household income
- $114,542
- Median home value
- $462,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 58%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
89% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waunakee compares
Wisconsin rank
#32 of 324
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above Wisconsin avg (6.4)
Median household income
$115k
146% of Wisconsin median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Waunakee, Wisconsin
Waunakee, Wisconsin is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.6 out of 10, schools in Waunakee perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Waunakee is Waunakee Intermediate with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Waunakee is served by 1 school district: Waunakee Community School District. These districts collectively serve 4,410 students.
Waunakee's community shows 58% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $114,542. The poverty rate in the area is 4.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 575 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 427 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 524 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.0 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 171 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.2 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 620 students · 5th–6th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 681 students · 7th–8th | 8.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,346 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 237 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Madison Country Day School
Private
427 students · Pre-K–12th | 9.0 | ||
Schools in Waunakee
Waunakee, Wisconsin · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$114,542
Median Home Value
$462,900
Median Rent
$1,336/mo
Population
20,671
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Community Profile
Waunakee has a median household income of $114,542. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,900, with a median rent of $1,336/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Wisconsin
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
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 Waunakee, Wisconsin
How many schools are in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
Waunakee has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waunakee is 7.6 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 Waunakee, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked school in Waunakee on MySchoolScout is Waunakee Intermediate with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waunakee on MySchoolScout is Waunakee Heritage Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked middle school in Waunakee on MySchoolScout is Waunakee Intermediate with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked high school in Waunakee on MySchoolScout is Waunakee High with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Waunakee, Wisconsin?
Waunakee is served by 1 school district: Waunakee Community School District.
What is the education level in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
According to Census data, 58% of adults in Waunakee have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
The median household income in Waunakee is approximately $114,542 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
Yes, Waunakee has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Madison Country Day School with a score of 9.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waunakee, Wisconsin?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waunakee is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waunakee, 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.