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Very Good

#474 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 23% in state

Southern Bluffs Elementary

Elementary School · La Crosse School District

4010 Sunnyside Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601

Enrollment

320

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#474 of 2,105

In La Crosse

#3 of 19

public schools

In district

#3 of 19

La Crosse School District

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Bluffs Elementary

7.9/10

Elementary School in La Crosse · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hintgen Elementary

4.7/10

1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Driftless Pass School

Nearby

1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southern Bluffs Elementary

Southern Bluffs Elementary is a public elementary school in La Crosse, WI, part of La Crosse School District. Southern Bluffs Elementary serves approximately 320 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Bluffs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #474 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Bluffs Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.7
  • WI avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.6% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,989
Chronic Absenteeism12.2%

Southern Bluffs Elementary — Students at Southern Bluffs Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 50.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
38.4%
2025
Math
61.7%
ELA
53.6%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Southern Bluffs Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
78th percentile in WI
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4010 Sunnyside Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Bluffs Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Spence Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is School of Technology and Arts I (rated 8.3/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Emerson Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in La Crosse, see our La Crosse schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hintgen Elementary La Crosse 1.9 mi 4.7
DRIFTLESS PASS SCHOOL La Crosse 1.9 mi
State Road Elementary La Crosse 2.7 mi 7.1
CHILEDA La Crosse 2.7 mi 8.4
Spence Elementary La Crosse 3.0 mi 8.3
Central High La Crosse 3.3 mi 4.9
Longfellow Middle La Crosse 3.6 mi 6.7
MT CALVARY-GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse 3.8 mi 4.4
La Crosse Offsite Preschool La Crosse 4.1 mi 3.8
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL La Crosse 4.4 mi 7.8
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL La Crosse 4.5 mi 6.6
School of Technology and Arts I La Crosse 4.4 mi 8.3
Hamilton Elementary School La Crosse 4.4 mi 6.7
FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse 4.6 mi 6.1
Emerson Elementary La Crosse 4.9 mi 7.4
AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS La Crosse 4.7 mi 6.7
AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL La Crosse 4.7 mi 6.9
La Crosse Polytechnic School La Crosse 5.1 mi 6.2
Coulee Region Virtual Academy La Crosse 5.1 mi 2.0
Stoddard Elementary Stoddard 5.7 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,078

Median Home Value

$220,200

Median Rent

$998/mo

Population

50,474

College Educated

39.9%

Homeownership

54.5%

Avg Commute

16.9 min

Poverty Rate

19.2%

Median Age

32.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bangor Elementary Bangor, WI 7.9
Cambridge Elementary Cambridge, WI 7.9
Campbellsport Elementary Campbellsport, WI 7.9
Downtown Montessori Milwaukee, WI 7.9
East Elementary Jefferson, WI 7.9
Huegel Elementary Madison, WI 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Bluffs Elementary

What grades does Southern Bluffs Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Southern Bluffs Elementary?

Southern Bluffs Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Bluffs Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Bluffs Elementary is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Bluffs Elementary rank in WI?

Southern Bluffs Elementary ranks #474 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Southern Bluffs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Bluffs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Southern Bluffs Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Bluffs Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southern Bluffs Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Southern Bluffs Elementary a Title I school?

No, Southern Bluffs Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

34.7% of students at Southern Bluffs 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
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
La Crosse County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

District

La Crosse School District
District Enrollment
5,794
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,989
District Rank
#3 of 19

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