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Excellent

#235 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 11% in state

Mead Elementary

Elementary School · Wisconsin Rapids School District

241 17th Ave S, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

Enrollment

294

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wisconsin Rapids

#2 of 11

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#160 of 1,099

In district

#2 of 12

Wisconsin Rapids School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Mead Elementary

Mead Elementary serves 294 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Wisconsin Rapids, offering a close-knit learning environment with an excellent 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, this regular public school provides personalized attention that helps students thrive academically and socially. The school has earned recognition for its solid performance, ranking #601 out of 2,112 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 72nd percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This achievement reflects the dedication of both faculty and families in supporting student success. Mead Elementary's MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 demonstrates the school's commitment to providing quality education in Wood County. Located at 241 17th Ave S, Mead Elementary serves a diverse community where families work together to support their children's educational journey.

The school's prekindergarten program gives young learners an early foundation, while the elementary grades build essential skills for middle school readiness. Mead Elementary sits in the heart of Wisconsin Rapids, a town community where neighbors know each other and local businesses support the schools. The school's location provides students with both small-town charm and access to the broader resources of the Wisconsin Rapids area.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Mead Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

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+3.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Math vs. State Avg-27.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)13%
vs. Expected+14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,103

Mead Elementary — Students at Mead Elementary score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.3%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 29.0%
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
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
37.5%
ELA
33.6%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Mead Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
89th percentile in WI
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

241 17th Ave S, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mead Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Howe Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Humke Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Nekoosa), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Grove Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wisconsin Rapids, see our Wisconsin Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PAULS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 0.2 mi 4.2
OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 0.5 mi 7.0
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle Wisconsin Rapids 1.2 mi 5.5
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Wisconsin Rapids 1.1 mi 6.6
Central Oaks Academy Wisconsin Rapids 1.3 mi 3.9
Howe Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 1.3 mi 8.5
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 1.5 mi 6.3
Grove Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 1.9 mi 7.1
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 1.8 mi 6.7
Woodside Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 2.4 mi 5.8
Pitsch Early Learning Center Wisconsin Rapids 2.0 mi 5.7
Lincoln High Wisconsin Rapids 2.3 mi 5.2
Port Edwards Ed Heuer Elementary School Port Edwards 3.2 mi 6.4
John Edwards Middle Port Edwards 3.3 mi 7.1
John Edwards High Port Edwards 3.3 mi 3.7
Washington Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 2.7 mi 6.6
River Cities High Wisconsin Rapids 4.1 mi 5.3
GOOD SHEPHERD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 6.8 mi 3.9
Humke Elementary Nekoosa 6.5 mi 7.2
Nekoosa High Nekoosa 6.7 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54495 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,476

Median Home Value

$117,900

Median Rent

$804/mo

Population

7,857

College Educated

12.4%

Homeownership

56.1%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mead Elementary has a median household income of $49,476. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,900, with a median rent of $804/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Canterbury Elementary Greendale, WI 8.0
Cushing Elementary Delafield, WI 8.0
Dodgeville Elementary Dodgeville, WI 8.0
Fontana Elementary Fontana, WI 8.0
Greenland Elementary Oconomowoc, WI 8.0
Hawthorn Hills Elementary Wausau, WI 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mead Elementary

What grades does Mead Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Mead Elementary?

Mead Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 294 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mead Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Mead Elementary is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mead Elementary rank in WI?

Mead Elementary is ranked #235 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Mead Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mead Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Mead Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mead Elementary has 31.3% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mead Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Mead Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

86.1% of students at Mead 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

Walk Score
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,424/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Wood County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wisconsin Rapids School District
District Enrollment
4,637
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,912
District Rank
#2 of 12

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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