Average
#1667 of 2,102 schools in WI
De Forest High
High School · De Forest Area School District
815 Jefferson St, De Forest, WI 53532
Enrollment
1,118
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,118
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In De Forest
#3 of 3
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#307 of 499
In district
#7 of 7
De Forest Area School District
About De Forest High
De Forest High serves 1,118 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of De Forest, Wisconsin. With 78 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1257 among Wisconsin's 2112 high schools, placing it in the 40th percentile statewide.
While this indicates room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development and educational improvement. De Forest High operates as a regular public school within Dane County, serving a community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, middle-class environment with a median household income of $103,440 and a low poverty rate of 6.9%.
Median home values in the area reach $301,600, indicating a well-established residential community. Students at De Forest High benefit from being part of a large suburban setting that combines the resources and opportunities of a sizable school district with the close-knit feel of a Wisconsin community. The school sits at 815 Jefferson Street in the heart of De Forest, serving families throughout this growing Dane County suburb.
Score Breakdown
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De Forest High — Students at De Forest High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How De Forest High Compares
See how De Forest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 31% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 38% (2021).
Location
815 Jefferson St, De Forest, WI 53532
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering De Forest High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Waunakee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harvest Intermediate School (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Deforest), which scores notably higher. Additionally, De Forest Middle (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in De Forest, see our De Forest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Point Elementary Deforest | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Early Learning Program Deforest | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| De Forest Middle De Forest | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Harvest Intermediate School Deforest | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Windsor Elementary Windsor | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Yahara Elementary De Forest | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| POWERHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sun Prairie | 4.4 mi | — |
| Horizon Elementary Sun Prairie | 4.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Sun Prairie West High Sun Prairie | 5.2 mi | — |
| Token Springs Elementary Sun Prairie | 4.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadow View Elementary Sun Prairie | 5.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Prairie View Middle Sun Prairie | 5.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Royal Oaks Elementary Sun Prairie | 5.6 mi | 5.6 |
| MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Waunakee | 6.5 mi | 9.0 |
| PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sun Prairie | 5.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Gompers Elementary Madison | 7.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Black Hawk Middle Madison | 7.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Creekside Elementary Sun Prairie | 6.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Sandburg Elementary Madison | 7.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Westside Elementary Sun Prairie | 6.3 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53532 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,050
Median Home Value
$355,700
Median Rent
$1,381/mo
Population
16,286
College Educated
42.8%
Homeownership
80.7%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding De Forest High has a median household income of $110,050. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,700, with a median rent of $1,381/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% 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 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln High Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 5.2 |
| Union Grove High Union Grove, WI | 5.2 |
| De Pere High De Pere, WI | 5.3 |
| East High West Bend, WI | 5.3 |
| Mount Horeb High Mount Horeb, WI | 5.3 |
| North High Oshkosh, WI | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about De Forest High
What grades does De Forest High serve?
De Forest High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend De Forest High?
De Forest High has an enrollment of approximately 1,118 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at De Forest High?
The student-teacher ratio at De Forest High is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does De Forest High rank in WI?
De Forest High is ranked #1667 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is De Forest High's MySchoolScout rating?
De Forest High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 De Forest High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, De Forest High has 32.0% math proficiency and 41.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is De Forest High a charter school?
No, De Forest High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is De Forest High a Title I school?
No, De Forest High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for De Forest High?
17.5% of students at De Forest High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,118
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 78
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dane County
- Phone
- (608) 842-6600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
De Forest Area School District- District Enrollment
- 4,153
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,667
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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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