Very Good
#494 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 24% 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
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Crosse
#5 of 19
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#313 of 1,099
In district
#5 of 19
La Crosse School District
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Bluffs Elementary
Southern Bluffs Elementary serves 320 students in grades PK through 5 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, offering a solid educational foundation with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that supports student learning and development. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking #261 out of 2,112 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Wisconsin schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. Located on Sunnyside Drive, Southern Bluffs Elementary sits in a diverse community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $57,500 and median home values of $201,700, representing a mix of working families and professionals who contribute to the school's supportive community atmosphere.
Southern Bluffs Elementary benefits from its location in La Crosse, a small city setting that combines the advantages of urban resources with a close-knit community feel, providing students with both educational opportunities and a sense of belonging in their neighborhood school.
Score Breakdown
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Southern Bluffs Elementary — Students at Southern Bluffs Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.7%
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: 6.7/10.
How Southern Bluffs Elementary Compares
See how Southern Bluffs Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2021).
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. School of Technology and Arts I (rated 8.7/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spence Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, State Road Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.7 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 | 5.3 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| Central High La Crosse | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Longfellow Middle La Crosse | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| MT CALVARY-GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse | 3.8 mi | 4.4 |
| La Crosse Offsite Preschool La Crosse | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| Hamilton Elementary School La Crosse | 4.4 mi | 5.0 |
| FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse | 4.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Emerson Elementary La Crosse | 4.9 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 4.9 |
| Coulee Region Virtual Academy La Crosse | 5.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Stoddard Elementary Stoddard | 5.7 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Bluffs Elementary has a median household income of $60,078. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,200, with a median rent of $998/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Amy Belle Elementary Colgate, WI | 7.4 |
| Chegwin Elementary Fond Du Lac, WI | 7.4 |
| Cochrane-Fountain City Elementary Fountain City, WI | 7.4 |
| FATHER ALLOUEZ CATHOLIC SCHOOL Green Bay, WI | 7.4 |
| Flambeau Elementary Tony, WI | 7.4 |
| Jefferson Elementary Beaver Dam, WI | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #494 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Southern Bluffs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Bluffs Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Southern Bluffs Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Bluffs Elementary has 56.8% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 4 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 24 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 33 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,109/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Crosse). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (608) 789-7020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Crosse School District- District Enrollment
- 5,794
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,989
- District Rank
- #5 of 19
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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