Excellent
#166 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 8% in state
Prairie Elementary
Elementary School · Waukesha School District
1801 Center Rd, Waukesha, WI 53189
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waukesha
#3 of 27
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#114 of 1,099
In district
#3 of 26
Waukesha School District
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Prairie Elementary
Prairie Elementary is a public elementary school in Waukesha, WI, part of the Waukesha School District. The school serves approximately 326 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 92.2th percentile among WI schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 61% in reading/language arts, 10 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $114,555, where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Prairie Elementary — Students at Prairie Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
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: 9.0/10.
How Prairie Elementary Compares
See how Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
1801 Center Rd, Waukesha, WI 53189
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bethesda Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Waukesha STEM Academy (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, White Rock School (rated 7.6/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waukesha, see our Waukesha schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South High Waukesha | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| eAchieve Elementary Waukesha | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| eAchieve Academy - Wisconsin Waukesha | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Waukesha Academy of Health Professions Waukesha | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy Waukesha | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Les Paul Middle Waukesha | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Waukesha STEM Academy Waukesha | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| WAUKESHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waukesha | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Butler Middle Waukesha | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| West High Waukesha | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Lowell Elementary Waukesha | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Heyer Elementary Waukesha | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Bethesda Elementary Waukesha | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| La Casa de Esperanza Charter School Waukesha | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waukesha | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| North High Waukesha | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Hadfield Elementary Waukesha | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| White Rock School Waukesha | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Waukesha East Alternative School Waukesha | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53189 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$114,555
Median Home Value
$372,600
Median Rent
$1,206/mo
Population
26,607
College Educated
45.4%
Homeownership
81.7%
Avg Commute
25.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $114,555. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $372,600, with a median rent of $1,206/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Cadott Elementary Cadott, WI | 8.2 |
| Iola-Scandinavia Elementary Iola, WI | 8.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Stevens Point, WI | 8.2 |
| Manz Elementary Eau Claire, WI | 8.2 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Waukesha, WI | 8.2 |
| North Hudson Elementary Hudson, WI | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Elementary
What grades does Prairie Elementary serve?
Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Prairie Elementary?
Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Elementary rank in WI?
Prairie Elementary is ranked #166 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Prairie Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Elementary has 64.8% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie Elementary a charter school?
No, Prairie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Elementary a Title I school?
No, Prairie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Elementary?
28.2% of students at Prairie 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
- Walk Score
- 33 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 25 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 36 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (989/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waukesha). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 326
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Waukesha County
- Phone
- (262) 970-2205
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waukesha School District- District Enrollment
- 11,318
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,969
- District Rank
- #3 of 26
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 methodologyRelated reading
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