Needs Improvement
#2038 of 2,102 schools in WI
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High
High School · McFarland School District
4721 Dale-Curtin Dr, Mcfarland, WI 53558
Enrollment
340
Student-Teacher
68:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
340
Student-Teacher
68:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mcfarland
#8 of 9
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#473 of 499
In district
#8 of 9
McFarland School District
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High is a charter high school located in the large suburban area of McFarland, Wisconsin. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and offers a vocational/technical focus to prepare them for careers. With an enrollment of 340 students and only five full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio stands at 68:1.
Destinations Career Academy’s academic performance is currently in need of improvement. The school has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks 1784th out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin, placing it in the 16th percentile. Only 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 15% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Despite its challenges, Destinations Career Academy continues to focus on student development and vocational training for future career readiness. The school is situated in a community that supports diverse educational pathways beyond traditional academics.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High is 68:1, 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.
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High — Students at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
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
↑ 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: 7.9/10.
How Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High Compares
See how Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 24.5% (2021).
Location
4721 Dale-Curtin Dr, Mcfarland, WI 53558
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Insight School of Wisconsin High (rated 7.4/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monona Grove Liberal Arts (rated 7.3/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Monona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Monona Grove High (rated 6.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Monona), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mcfarland, see our Mcfarland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (WIVA) Mcfarland | 0.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Wisconsin Virtual Academy High (WIVA) Mcfarland | 0.0 mi | 2.4 |
| Insight School of Wisconsin High Mcfarland | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Indian Mound Middle Mcfarland | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| McFarland High Mcfarland | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Conrad Elvehjem Primary School Mcfarland | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| 4K McFarland Mcfarland | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Waubesa Intermediate Mcfarland | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| THREE ANGELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 2.7 mi | — |
| Milestone Democratic School Madison | 3.1 mi | — |
| Dr Virginia Henderson Elementary School Madison | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| One City Elementary School Madison | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| One City Preparatory Academy Madison | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| LaFollette High Madison | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Sennett Middle Madison | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Monona Grove Liberal Arts Monona | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Monona | 3.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Nuestro Mundo Monona | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Monona Grove High Monona | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53558 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,167
Median Home Value
$377,500
Median Rent
$1,501/mo
Population
13,133
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
77.8%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High has a median household income of $107,167. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $377,500, with a median rent of $1,501/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Arcadia High Arcadia, WI | 3.7 |
| Iowa-Grant High Livingston, WI | 3.7 |
| WHS Information Technology Milwaukee, WI | 3.7 |
| Colby High Colby, WI | 3.8 |
| Adams-Friendship High Adams, WI | 3.9 |
| Shiocton High Shiocton, WI | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High
What grades does Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High serve?
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High?
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High has an enrollment of approximately 340 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High?
The student-teacher ratio at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High is 68:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High rank in WI?
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High is ranked #2038 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High's MySchoolScout rating?
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High has 15.0% math proficiency and 19.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High a charter school?
Yes, Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High a Title I school?
No, Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High?
55.3% of students at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (896/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mcfarland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 340
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 68:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.3%
- Type
- vocational
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dane County
- Phone
- (608) 838-9482
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McFarland School District- District Enrollment
- 5,639
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,862
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
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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