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Average

#1595 of 2,105 schools in WI

Gifford School

Elementary School · Racine Unified School District

8332 Northwestern Ave, Racine, WI 53406

Enrollment

1,408

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,595 of 2,105

In Racine

#8 of 25

public schools

In district

#9 of 25

Racine Unified School District

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Gifford School

5.1/10

Elementary School in Racine · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sonnenberg School

7.5/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Case High

5.9/10

3.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Gifford School

Gifford School is a public elementary school in Racine, WI, part of Racine Unified School District. Gifford School serves approximately 1,408 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Gifford School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,595 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Gifford School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Gifford School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.2 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment6.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,095
Chronic Absenteeism17.8%

Gifford School — Students at Gifford School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 44.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 40 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
34%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
35%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
29.1%
ELA
29%
2025
Math
44.9%
ELA
46%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Gifford School Compares

See how Gifford School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in WI
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
94 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8332 Northwestern Ave, Racine, WI 53406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gifford School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RUSD Montessori (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Sturtevant), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR LADY OF GRACE ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Racine, see our Racine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SONNENBERG SCHOOL Mount Pleasant 1.8 mi 7.5
Case High Racine 3.0 mi 5.9
The REAL Sch Sturtevant 3.1 mi 3.8
Racine Correctional Institution Sturtevant 3.4 mi
West Ridge Elementary Racine 3.3 mi 2.2
RUSD Montessori Racine 3.3 mi 8.1
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sturtevant 4.0 mi 6.6
RACINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Racine 3.6 mi 6.2
Schulte School Sturtevant 4.5 mi 5.3
Starbuck - An IB World School Racine 4.0 mi 5.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Caledonia 4.8 mi 4.4
Fratt Elementary Racine 4.1 mi 4.0
Wadewitz Elementary Racine 3.8 mi 5.4
Racine Alternative Learning Racine 4.0 mi 6.0
Horlick High Racine 4.0 mi 4.0
Johnson Elementary Racine 4.9 mi 4.3
Gilmore Fine Arts School Racine 4.1 mi 4.4
JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY Racine 4.2 mi 6.2
Walden III High Racine 4.4 mi 4.9
OUR LADY OF GRACE ACADEMY Racine 4.6 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,427

Median Home Value

$262,000

Median Rent

$990/mo

Population

25,564

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

72.1%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

45.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Milwaukee Parkside School Milwaukee, WI 4.8
Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum Kenosha, WI 5.5
ST MARCUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI 5.7
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (WIVA) Mcfarland, WI 4.2
Mitchell School Racine, WI 3.8
Salem Elementary Salem, WI 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gifford School

What grades does Gifford School serve?

Gifford School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Gifford School?

Gifford School has an enrollment of approximately 1,408 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gifford School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gifford School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gifford School rank in WI?

Gifford School ranks #1,595 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Gifford School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gifford School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Gifford School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gifford School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Gifford School a charter school?

No, Gifford School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gifford School a Title I school?

No, Gifford School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gifford School?

32.0% of students at Gifford School 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
1,408
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
94
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Racine County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.8%

District

Racine Unified School District
District Enrollment
15,963
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,095
District Rank
#9 of 25

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