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Needs Improvement

#2016 of 2,102 schools in WI

Sparta High

High School · Sparta Area School District

506 N Black River St, Sparta, WI 54656

Enrollment

854

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sparta

#6 of 7

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#458 of 499

In district

#6 of 7

Sparta Area School District

About Sparta High

Sparta High serves students in grades 9 through 12 in Sparta, Wisconsin, a small town in Monroe County. The school enrolls 854 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, supported by 57 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Sparta High is experiencing significant challenges.

The school has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks near the bottom of Wisconsin schools statewide. Reading and language arts proficiency averages 30 percent, while mathematics proficiency stands at 20 percent across grade levels, indicating considerable room for academic growth and support. For families considering Sparta High, it's important to understand that the school is working through substantial academic headwinds.

Students and parents should be aware of these performance metrics when evaluating the school's fit for their educational needs. The school may benefit from targeted interventions and additional resources to help improve student outcomes and achievement levels. Located in a small Wisconsin town, Sparta High serves as the local comprehensive high school option for the community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,626

Sparta High — Students at Sparta High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Sparta High Compares

See how Sparta High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
4th percentile in WI
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

506 N Black River St, Sparta, WI 54656

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sparta High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Salem High (rated 6.3/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby West Salem), which scores notably higher. Another option is Melrose-Mindoro Junior/Senior High (rated 6.2/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cashton Middle/High (rated 5.8/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Cashton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sparta, see our Sparta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Sparta Montessori School Sparta 0.1 mi 3.6
Herrman Elementary Sparta 0.5 mi 7.6
ST PATRICKS SCHOOL Sparta 0.5 mi 7.5
Sparta Meadowview Middle Sparta 1.0 mi 6.9
Innovations STEM Academy Sparta 1.0 mi 5.4
SPARTA MENNONITE SCHOOL Sparta 1.3 mi
Sparta Alternative Independent Learning School Sparta 1.2 mi 4.5
Southside Early Learning Center Sparta 1.6 mi 5.2
SANDY OAK AMISH SCHOOL Rockland 6.0 mi
Bangor Middle/High Bangor 9.0 mi 4.9
ST PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bangor 9.0 mi
Bangor Elementary Bangor 9.1 mi 6.5
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cashton 14.1 mi 7.4
Cashton Middle/High Cashton 14.5 mi 5.8
Cashton Elementary Cashton 14.6 mi 7.6
Melrose-Mindoro Elementary Melrose 13.1 mi 7.7
Melrose-Mindoro Junior/Senior High Melrose 13.1 mi 6.2
West Salem Elementary West Salem 12.9 mi 6.7
West Salem Middle West Salem 13.0 mi 7.4
West Salem High West Salem 13.1 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,605

Median Home Value

$201,400

Median Rent

$924/mo

Population

18,068

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sparta High has a median household income of $70,605. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,400, with a median rent of $924/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. 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
Beaver Dam High Beaver Dam, WI 3.9
Medford High Medford, WI 3.9
Antigo High Antigo, WI 3.8
Central High West Allis, WI 3.8
New Richmond High New Richmond, WI 3.8
Portage High Portage, WI 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sparta High

What grades does Sparta High serve?

Sparta High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Sparta High?

Sparta High has an enrollment of approximately 854 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sparta High?

The student-teacher ratio at Sparta High is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sparta High rank in WI?

Sparta High is ranked #2016 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Sparta High's MySchoolScout rating?

Sparta High has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Sparta High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sparta High has 19.5% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sparta High a charter school?

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

Is Sparta High a Title I school?

No, Sparta High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sparta High?

43.7% of students at Sparta High 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

City Safety
High (3,445/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
854
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Monroe County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

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