Very Good
#402 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 19% in state
Chain Exploration Center
Elementary School · Waupaca School District
N3160 Silver Lake Dr, Waupaca, WI 54981
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waupaca
#1 of 5
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#261 of 1,099
In district
#1 of 5
Waupaca School District
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Chain Exploration Center
Chain Exploration Center serves 133 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Waupaca, Wisconsin. This public charter school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1, with 11 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #396 out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide.
Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 68% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics. Chain Exploration Center benefits from its location in a stable community where the median household income reaches $75,335 and the poverty rate remains low at 6.8%. The area's median home value of $189,200 reflects a middle-class neighborhood, while 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating an education-minded community.
As a charter school, Chain Exploration Center likely offers innovative educational approaches while serving families seeking alternatives to traditional public schooling. The school sits in a rural setting near town on Silver Lake Drive, providing students with a peaceful learning environment that combines small-town values with educational opportunity in the heart of Waupaca County.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 133 students, Chain Exploration Center 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.
Chain Exploration Center 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.
Located in a rural area, Chain Exploration Center may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Chain Exploration Center — Students at Chain Exploration Center score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 14 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.9/10.
How Chain Exploration Center Compares
See how Chain Exploration Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
N3160 Silver Lake Dr, Waupaca, WI 54981
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chain Exploration Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Iola-Scandinavia Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Iola), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Waupaca Learning Center Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 5.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Amherst Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Amherst), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waupaca, see our Waupaca schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waupaca Community 4-Year Old Kindergarten Waupaca | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| TOMORROW'S CHILDREN Waupaca | 0.3 mi | — |
| Waupaca High Waupaca | 3.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Waupaca Middle Waupaca | 4.9 mi | 6.9 |
| WAUPACA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waupaca | 5.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Waupaca Learning Center Elementary Waupaca | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Iola-Scandinavia High Iola | 10.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Amherst Elementary Amherst | 9.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Amherst High Amherst | 9.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Amherst Middle Amherst | 9.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Iola-Scandinavia Elementary Iola | 10.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Wild Rose Elementary Wild Rose | 12.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Wild Rose High Wild Rose | 12.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Tomorrow River Community Charter Amherst Junction | 14.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Tomorrow River Virtual Charter School (TRVCS) Amherst Junction | 14.0 mi | 3.6 |
| ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Weyauwega | 11.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Central Sands Community High School Amherst | 13.0 mi | — |
| Weyauwega Elementary Weyauwega | 12.1 mi | 6.7 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Weyauwega | 13.9 mi | — |
| Weyauwega Middle Weyauwega | 12.2 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54981 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,821
Median Home Value
$204,100
Median Rent
$800/mo
Population
15,064
College Educated
28.1%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
46.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chain Exploration Center has a median household income of $76,821. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,100, with a median rent of $800/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Alma Elementary Alma, WI | 7.6 |
| Benton Elementary Benton, WI | 7.6 |
| Downsville Elementary Downsville, WI | 7.6 |
| Jefferson Elementary Menasha, WI | 7.6 |
| Luck Elementary Luck, WI | 7.6 |
| OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wauwatosa, WI | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chain Exploration Center
What grades does Chain Exploration Center serve?
Chain Exploration Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Chain Exploration Center?
Chain Exploration Center has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chain Exploration Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Chain Exploration Center is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chain Exploration Center rank in WI?
Chain Exploration Center is ranked #402 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Chain Exploration Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Chain Exploration Center has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Chain Exploration Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chain Exploration Center has 67.8% math proficiency and 68.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chain Exploration Center a charter school?
Yes, Chain Exploration Center is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Chain Exploration Center a Title I school?
No, Chain Exploration Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chain Exploration Center?
25.6% of students at Chain Exploration Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Waupaca County
- Phone
- (715) 258-4151
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waupaca School District- District Enrollment
- 2,037
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,223
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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