Skip to main content

Very Good

#744 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 35% in state

Manawa Elementary

Elementary School · Manawa School District

800 Beech St, Manawa, WI 54949

Enrollment

199

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Manawa

#2 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#450 of 1,099

In district

#2 of 3

Manawa School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Manawa Elementary

Manawa Elementary serves 199 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Manawa, Wisconsin. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and support for each child. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #315 out of 2,112 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a small-town environment. Located at 800 Beech Street, Manawa Elementary sits in the heart of Waupaca County's rural landscape. The surrounding community of 3,341 residents enjoys a median household income of $76,975 and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.2%.

With median home values around $179,700, the area offers affordable family living, though college education rates remain modest at 14% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school's rural setting provides students with a close-knit educational environment where teachers and families can build strong relationships. Manawa Elementary offers the benefits of small-class learning while maintaining the academic standards that have earned its place among Wisconsin's higher-performing elementary schools.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 199 students, Manawa Elementary 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.

While current test scores at Manawa Elementary 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.

Located in a rural area, Manawa Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-32.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,776

Manawa Elementary — Students at Manawa Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.2%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 41.5%
School
State
50.9%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
53.9%
ELA
51.2%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Manawa Elementary Compares

See how Manawa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in WI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

800 Beech St, Manawa, WI 54949

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Manawa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parkview Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby New London), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fremont Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Fremont), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Waupaca Learning Center Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Waupaca), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Manawa, see our Manawa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Little Wolf High Manawa 0.2 mi 6.0
Manawa Middle Manawa 0.2 mi 7.6
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Manawa 0.7 mi 4.9
Weyauwega High Weyauwega 9.3 mi 2.5
Weyauwega Middle Weyauwega 9.3 mi 8.1
Weyauwega Elementary Weyauwega 9.3 mi 6.7
ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Weyauwega 9.6 mi 5.0
STARR ACADEMY New London 10.6 mi 6.9
New London High New London 9.5 mi 6.0
New London Middle New London 9.3 mi 6.7
Parkview Elementary New London 9.4 mi 8.4
Catalyst Academy New London 9.4 mi
Sugar Bush Elementary New London 9.0 mi 6.4
MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD PARISH CATHOLIC SCHOOL New London 9.7 mi 6.4
Lincoln Elementary New London 9.8 mi 6.1
EMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL New London 9.8 mi 4.4
Waupaca Learning Center Elementary Waupaca 10.9 mi 7.1
WAUPACA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waupaca 11.1 mi 6.0
Waupaca Middle Waupaca 11.1 mi 6.9
Fremont Elementary Fremont 13.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,286

Median Home Value

$192,200

Median Rent

$835/mo

Population

3,549

College Educated

13.1%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Manawa Elementary has a median household income of $84,286. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,200, with a median rent of $835/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Abrams Elementary Abrams, WI 7.0
Belmont Elementary Belmont, WI 7.0
CALVARY BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown, WI 7.0
FOX VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Neenah, WI 7.0
Fox River Academy Appleton, WI 7.0
Grant Elementary Wisconsin Rapids, WI 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Manawa Elementary

What grades does Manawa Elementary serve?

Manawa Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Manawa Elementary?

Manawa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Manawa Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Manawa Elementary is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Manawa Elementary rank in WI?

Manawa Elementary is ranked #744 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Manawa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Manawa Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Manawa Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Manawa Elementary has 45.2% math proficiency and 41.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Manawa Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Manawa Elementary a Title I school?

No, Manawa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Manawa Elementary?

49.7% of students at Manawa 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (79/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Waupaca County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Manawa School District
District Enrollment
505
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,582
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.