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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

Charter

Enrollment

133

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,609

Chain Exploration Center — Students at Chain Exploration Center score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.8%
School
State
52.7%
ELA Proficiency 68.2%
School
State
51.7%

Based on 14 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
71.6%
ELA
73.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
81th percentile in WI
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,732/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waupaca). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waupaca School District
District Enrollment
2,037
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,223
District Rank
#1 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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