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Very Good

#767 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 36% in state

Bethesda Elementary

Elementary School · Waukesha School District

730 S University Dr, Waukesha, WI 53188

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#767 of 2,105

In Waukesha

#13 of 27

public schools

In district

#12 of 26

Waukesha School District

Equity

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Bethesda Elementary

7.3/10

Elementary School in Waukesha · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

North High

4.8/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mount Calvary Lutheran School

5.9/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bethesda Elementary

Bethesda Elementary is a public elementary school in Waukesha, WI, part of Waukesha School District. Bethesda Elementary serves approximately 415 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethesda Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #767 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Bethesda Elementary show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.8
  • WI avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+14.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,969
Chronic Absenteeism16.9%

Bethesda Elementary — Students at Bethesda Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 55.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
56%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
61.8%
ELA
48.2%
2025
Math
69%
ELA
60.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.

How Bethesda Elementary Compares

See how Bethesda Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
64th percentile in WI
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

730 S University Dr, Waukesha, WI 53188

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethesda Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Prairie Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meadowbrook Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rose Glen Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waukesha, see our Waukesha schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
North High Waukesha 1.2 mi 4.8
MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha 1.1 mi 5.9
Lowell Elementary Waukesha 1.2 mi 7.6
WAUKESHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waukesha 1.4 mi 5.7
Summit View Elementary Waukesha 1.6 mi 8.1
Butler Middle Waukesha 1.7 mi 6.7
Rose Glen Elementary Waukesha 2.2 mi 8.7
West High Waukesha 2.5 mi 5.6
Hawthorne Elementary Waukesha 2.1 mi 8.0
Prairie Elementary Waukesha 2.2 mi 8.9
Meadowbrook Elementary Waukesha 2.9 mi 8.8
eAchieve Elementary Waukesha 2.1 mi 6.4
eAchieve Academy - Wisconsin Waukesha 2.1 mi 3.7
Les Paul Middle Waukesha 2.2 mi 7.9
Riverview School Waukesha 2.7 mi
Waukesha STEM Academy Waukesha 2.6 mi 8.4
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha 2.7 mi 6.2
South High Waukesha 2.8 mi 5.1
La Casa de Esperanza Charter School Waukesha 2.8 mi 8.2
White Rock School Waukesha 2.9 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53188 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,656

Median Home Value

$317,300

Median Rent

$1,235/mo

Population

34,290

College Educated

43.1%

Homeownership

67.3%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

39.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Birnamwood Elementary Birnamwood, WI 7.3
Cashton Elementary Cashton, WI 7.3
Core Knowledge Charter School Verona, WI 7.3
Country View Elementary Verona, WI 7.3
Decorah Elementary West Bend, WI 7.3
Dodgeland Elementary Juneau, WI 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethesda Elementary

What grades does Bethesda Elementary serve?

Bethesda Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bethesda Elementary?

Bethesda Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethesda Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bethesda Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethesda Elementary rank in WI?

Bethesda Elementary ranks #767 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Bethesda Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethesda Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bethesda Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethesda Elementary has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Bethesda Elementary a charter school?

No, Bethesda Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bethesda Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bethesda Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethesda Elementary?

37.6% of students at Bethesda Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Waukesha County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.9%

District

Waukesha School District
District Enrollment
11,318
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,969
District Rank
#12 of 26

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