Excellent
#162 of 2,105 schools in WI
Top 8% in state
South Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · Wausau School District
5400 Bittersweet Rd, Wausau, WI 54401
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#162 of 2,105
In Wausau
#1 of 20
public schools
In district
#1 of 20
Wausau School District
Equity
9.1 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around South Mountain Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
South Mountain Elementary
Elementary School in Wausau · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hillside Christian School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rib Mountain Elementary
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Mountain Elementary
South Mountain Elementary is a public elementary school in Wausau, WI, part of Wausau School District. South Mountain Elementary serves approximately 223 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #162 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for South Mountain Elementary show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 6.9
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
South Mountain Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Mountain Elementary — Students at South Mountain Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.5/10.
How South Mountain Elementary Compares
See how South Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
5400 Bittersweet Rd, Wausau, WI 54401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rib Mountain Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Grant Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Stettin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wausau, see our Wausau schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wausau | 0.6 mi | — |
| Rib Mountain Elementary Wausau | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wausau | 2.7 mi | — |
| G D Jones Elementary Wausau | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary Wausau | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| John Muir Middle Wausau | 3.7 mi | 7.2 |
| John Marshall Elementary Wausau | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Rothschild Elementary Rothschild | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wausau | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Schofield | 3.0 mi | 3.3 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT ST MARK Rothschild | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Stettin Elementary Wausau | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Wausau | 4.5 mi | 6.4 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Wausau | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| D C Everest Junior High Weston | 3.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Evergreen Elementary Rothschild | 4.3 mi | 6.7 |
| D C Everest 4K Community Partnership Rothschild | 4.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Wausau Area Virtual Education Wausau | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Grant Elementary Wausau | 4.5 mi | 7.9 |
| West High Wausau | 4.7 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,542
Median Home Value
$186,100
Median Rent
$969/mo
Population
31,430
College Educated
30.9%
Homeownership
66.3%
Avg Commute
15.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
40.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barneveld Elementary Barneveld, WI | 8.7 |
| New Leaf Prep Academy Green Bay, WI | 8.7 |
| Shell Lake Elementary (3-6) Shell Lake, WI | 8.7 |
| Three Lakes Elementary Three Lakes, WI | 8.7 |
| Alma Elementary Alma, WI | 8.6 |
| Flynn Elementary Eau Claire, WI | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Mountain Elementary
What grades does South Mountain Elementary serve?
South Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend South Mountain Elementary?
South Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mountain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mountain Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Mountain Elementary rank in WI?
South Mountain Elementary ranks #162 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is South Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Mountain Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Mountain Elementary has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Mountain Elementary a charter school?
No, South Mountain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Mountain Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Mountain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Mountain Elementary?
22.0% of students at South Mountain 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 223
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Marathon County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.0%
- Phone
- (715) 261-0235
Resources & Links
District
Wausau School District- District Enrollment
- 7,783
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,133
- District Rank
- #1 of 20
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.