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#1608 of 2,102 schools in WI

Innovations Stem Academy

Middle School · Sparta Area School District

1225 N Water St, Sparta, WI 54656

Charter

Enrollment

88

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sparta

#3 of 7

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#367 of 387

In district

#3 of 7

Sparta Area School District

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Innovations Stem Academy

Innovations STEM Academy serves 88 middle school students in grades 6 through 8 in Sparta, Wisconsin, operating as a charter school with a focused STEM curriculum. With just 5 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and hands-on learning experiences. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile among Wisconsin middle schools at #463 out of 2,112 schools statewide.

Students show solid achievement with 56% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math, reflecting the school's commitment to rigorous academic standards within its specialized STEM framework. Located on North Water Street in Sparta, the academy serves a community where the median household income is $66,048 and median home values average $188,100. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 9.8%, with 19% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

As a charter school focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, Innovations STEM Academy offers families in Monroe County an alternative educational approach that emphasizes innovation and hands-on learning in a supportive small-school setting within this close-knit Wisconsin town of 18,008 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 88 students, Innovations Stem Academy 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.

Innovations Stem Academy 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Math vs. State Avg+12.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment3.1Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,626

Innovations Stem Academy — Students at Innovations Stem Academy score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

3.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.0%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 56.3%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2025
Math
54.5%
ELA
51.6%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Innovations Stem Academy Compares

See how Innovations Stem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
24th percentile in WI
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
3%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

1225 N Water St, Sparta, WI 54656

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Innovations Stem Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. West Salem Middle (rated 7.4/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby West Salem), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sparta Meadowview Middle (rated 6.9/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sparta, see our Sparta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Sparta Meadowview Middle Sparta 0.0 mi 6.9
Herrman Elementary Sparta 0.6 mi 7.6
Sparta Alternative Independent Learning School Sparta 0.8 mi 4.5
Sparta Montessori School Sparta 0.9 mi 3.6
ST PATRICKS SCHOOL Sparta 1.1 mi 7.5
Sparta High Sparta 1.0 mi 3.9
SPARTA MENNONITE SCHOOL Sparta 1.4 mi
Southside Early Learning Center Sparta 1.6 mi 5.2
SANDY OAK AMISH SCHOOL Rockland 7.0 mi
Bangor Middle/High Bangor 10.0 mi 4.9
ST PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bangor 9.9 mi
Bangor Elementary Bangor 10.1 mi 6.5
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cashton 14.7 mi 7.4
Cashton Middle/High Cashton 15.1 mi 5.8
Cashton Elementary Cashton 15.2 mi 7.6
Melrose-Mindoro Elementary Melrose 13.2 mi 7.7
Melrose-Mindoro Junior/Senior High Melrose 13.2 mi 6.2
West Salem Elementary West Salem 13.7 mi 6.7
SUNBEAM SPECIAL SCHOOL Cashton 18.1 mi
West Salem Middle West Salem 13.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,605

Median Home Value

$201,400

Median Rent

$924/mo

Population

18,068

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Innovations Stem Academy has a median household income of $70,605. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,400, with a median rent of $924/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Waterloo Middle Waterloo, WI 5.4
Shullsburg Junior High Shullsburg, WI 5.5
Cornell Middle Cornell, WI 5.3
Andrew S Douglas Middle Milwaukee, WI 5.2
ST CHARLES BORROMEO PRIMARY SCHOOL Chippewa Falls, WI 5.2
Accelerated Advanced Learning Program Oshkosh, WI 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Innovations Stem Academy

What grades does Innovations Stem Academy serve?

Innovations Stem Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Innovations Stem Academy?

Innovations Stem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Innovations Stem Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Innovations Stem Academy is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Innovations Stem Academy rank in WI?

Innovations Stem Academy is ranked #1608 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Innovations Stem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Innovations Stem Academy has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Innovations Stem Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Innovations Stem Academy has 56.0% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Innovations Stem Academy a charter school?

Yes, Innovations Stem Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Innovations Stem Academy a Title I school?

No, Innovations Stem Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Innovations Stem Academy?

3.4% of students at Innovations Stem Academy 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

City Safety
High (3,445/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
3.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Monroe County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sparta Area School District
District Enrollment
2,794
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,085
District Rank
#3 of 7

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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