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Needs Improvement

#2079 of 2,102 schools in WI

Central Wisconsin Stem Academy

Middle School · Nekoosa School District

540 Birch St, Nekoosa, WI 54457

Charter

Enrollment

32

Student-Teacher

32:1

Score

3.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nekoosa

#5 of 5

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#387 of 387

In district

#5 of 5

Nekoosa School District

About Central Wisconsin Stem Academy

Central Wisconsin STEM Academy is a charter middle school located in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 32 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 32:1 with one full-time equivalent teacher. Despite its small size, Central Wisconsin STEM Academy focuses on integrating science, technology, engineering, and math into its curriculum to prepare students for future academic challenges.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 2.3 out of 10, reflecting that it has room for improvement in terms of overall academic performance. State rankings place the school at number 2034 out of 2112 schools statewide, indicating there's potential for growth and development. In standardized testing, 55% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in Math.

Central Wisconsin STEM Academy is situated in the town setting of Nekoosa, providing a community-focused learning environment that emphasizes student development and personalized attention.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 32 students, Central Wisconsin Stem Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Central Wisconsin Stem Academy is 32:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Central Wisconsin Stem Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg-42.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio32:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,780

Central Wisconsin Stem Academy — Students at Central Wisconsin Stem Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.5%
School
State
53.4%
ELA Proficiency 54.6%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 8 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
47.3%
ELA
59.4%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Central Wisconsin Stem Academy Compares

See how Central Wisconsin Stem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
1th percentile in WI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
32:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

Location

540 Birch St, Nekoosa, WI 54457

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Wisconsin Stem Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Alexander Middle (rated 7.3/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is John Edwards Middle (rated 7.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Port Edwards), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Wisconsin Rapids), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nekoosa, see our Nekoosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Alexander Middle Nekoosa 0.0 mi 7.3
WISE Academy Nekoosa 0.0 mi 5.1
Nekoosa High Nekoosa 0.4 mi 5.2
Nekoosa Academy Nekoosa 0.4 mi
Humke Elementary Nekoosa 0.6 mi 7.2
Port Edwards Ed Heuer Elementary School Port Edwards 3.8 mi 6.4
John Edwards Middle Port Edwards 3.8 mi 7.1
John Edwards High Port Edwards 3.8 mi 3.7
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle Wisconsin Rapids 5.6 mi 5.5
GOOD SHEPHERD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 5.4 mi 3.9
Woodside Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 6.1 mi 5.8
Mead Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 6.9 mi 8.0
Grove Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 6.2 mi 7.1
OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 6.7 mi 7.0
ST PAULS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 6.9 mi 4.2
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Wisconsin Rapids 6.9 mi 6.6
Central Oaks Academy Wisconsin Rapids 7.1 mi 3.9
Howe Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 7.4 mi 8.5
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 7.3 mi 6.7
Lincoln High Wisconsin Rapids 7.2 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54457 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,005

Median Home Value

$169,500

Median Rent

$718/mo

Population

8,262

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

86.5%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

54.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Wisconsin Stem Academy has a median household income of $72,005. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,500, with a median rent of $718/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
THORP MENNONITE SCHOOL Thorp, WI 3.4
AUGUSTA MENNONITE SCHOOL Augusta, WI 3.6
BLACK RIVER PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Withee, WI 3.6
CHICKADEE HOLLOW MENNONITE SCHOOL Colby, WI 4.0
SHADY GROVE MENNONITE SCHOOL Curtiss, WI 4.1
HILLSIDE AMISH SCHOOL Cambria, WI 2.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Wisconsin Stem Academy

What grades does Central Wisconsin Stem Academy serve?

Central Wisconsin Stem Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Central Wisconsin Stem Academy?

Central Wisconsin Stem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 32 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Wisconsin Stem Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Wisconsin Stem Academy is 32:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Wisconsin Stem Academy rank in WI?

Central Wisconsin Stem Academy is ranked #2079 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Central Wisconsin Stem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Wisconsin Stem Academy has a composite rating of 3.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central Wisconsin Stem Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Wisconsin Stem Academy has 38.5% math proficiency and 54.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Wisconsin Stem Academy a charter school?

Yes, Central Wisconsin Stem Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Central Wisconsin Stem Academy a Title I school?

No, Central Wisconsin Stem Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Wisconsin Stem Academy?

56.2% of students at Central Wisconsin Stem Academy 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

County Safety
Low (131/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher Ratio
32:1
Teachers (FTE)
1
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Wood County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nekoosa School District
District Enrollment
1,226
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,744
District Rank
#5 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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