Very Good
#284 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 14% in state
Horizons Elementary
Elementary School · Appleton Area School District
2101 Schaefer Cir, Appleton, WI 54915
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Appleton
#2 of 38
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#186 of 1,099
In district
#2 of 36
Appleton Area School District
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Horizons Elementary
Horizons Elementary serves 312 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Appleton, Wisconsin, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking 38th out of 2,112 elementary schools statewide, Horizons places in the 98th percentile for academic achievement across Wisconsin. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.8 to 1, supported by 29 full-time equivalent teachers.
This staffing level allows for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes than many elementary schools can provide. Horizons Elementary sits in the heart of Appleton, drawing families from a stable residential community where the median household income reaches $81,170 and home values average $225,800. The surrounding neighborhood reflects an educated population, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 8.2%.
As a regular public school, Horizons serves the diverse needs of families throughout this section of Calumet County. The school operates within Appleton's small city setting, providing students with both the resources of an established educational community and the close-knit feel that comes with serving a well-established residential area.
Score Breakdown
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Horizons Elementary — Students at Horizons Elementary score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 8.4/10.
How Horizons Elementary Compares
See how Horizons Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
2101 Schaefer Cir, Appleton, WI 54915
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Horizons Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stephen Foster Elementary Charter (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Berry Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Johnston Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Appleton, see our Appleton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Engineering Charter School Appleton | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Appleton eSchool Appleton | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| East High Appleton | 0.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Berry Elementary Appleton | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| McKinley Elementary Appleton | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Johnston Elementary Appleton | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Madison Middle Appleton | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Richmond Elementary Appleton | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Woodland School Appleton | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Woodland Intermediate Appleton | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Edison Elementary Appleton | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| RIVERVIEW LUTHERAN SCHOOL Appleton | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Stephen Foster Elementary Charter Appleton | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Menasha | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Westside Elementary Kimberly | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Maplewood Middle Menasha | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Valley New School Appleton | 2.4 mi | 3.5 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Appleton | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Appleton | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Appleview Appleton | 2.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54915 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,814
Median Home Value
$247,900
Median Rent
$974/mo
Population
44,269
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
72.6%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
38.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Horizons Elementary has a median household income of $83,814. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,900, with a median rent of $974/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% 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 |
|---|---|
| Cameron Elementary Cameron, WI | 7.8 |
| Central Elementary Rhinelander, WI | 7.8 |
| EAGLE SCHOOL OF MADISON Madison, WI | 7.8 |
| Franklin Elementary Appleton, WI | 7.8 |
| Frederic Elementary Frederic, WI | 7.8 |
| Harmony Elementary Janesville, WI | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Horizons Elementary
What grades does Horizons Elementary serve?
Horizons Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Horizons Elementary?
Horizons Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Horizons Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Horizons Elementary is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Horizons Elementary rank in WI?
Horizons Elementary is ranked #284 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Horizons Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Horizons Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Horizons Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizons Elementary has 45.0% math proficiency and 45.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Horizons Elementary a charter school?
No, Horizons Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Horizons Elementary a Title I school?
No, Horizons Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horizons Elementary?
58.3% of students at Horizons Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Appleton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Calumet County
- Phone
- (920) 852-5485
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Appleton Area School District- District Enrollment
- 15,230
- Schools in District
- 38
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,085
- District Rank
- #2 of 36
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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