Excellent
#148 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 7% in state
Spence Elementary
Elementary School · La Crosse School District
2150 Bennett St, La Crosse, WI 54601
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Crosse
#2 of 19
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#102 of 1,099
In district
#2 of 19
La Crosse School District
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Spence Elementary
Spence Elementary is a public elementary school in La Crosse, WI, part of the La Crosse School District. The school serves approximately 315 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 93rd percentile among WI schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 53% proficiency in math, 0 points above the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 5 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $60,078, where 40% 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
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Data not available for this school
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Spence Elementary — Students at Spence Elementary score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
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: 8.2/10.
How Spence Elementary Compares
See how Spence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
2150 Bennett St, La Crosse, WI 54601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spence Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. School of Technology and Arts I (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southern Bluffs Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, State Road Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in La Crosse, see our La Crosse schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central High La Crosse | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Longfellow Middle La Crosse | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| CHILEDA La Crosse | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| MT CALVARY-GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| La Crosse Offsite Preschool La Crosse | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| DRIFTLESS PASS SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.3 mi | — |
| Hintgen Elementary La Crosse | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| State Road Elementary La Crosse | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| CATHEDRAL SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS La Crosse | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| School of Technology and Arts I La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Hamilton Elementary School La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Emerson Elementary La Crosse | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| La Crosse Polytechnic School La Crosse | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Coulee Region Virtual Academy La Crosse | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Southern Bluffs Elementary La Crosse | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| COULEE CONNECTIONS - ALTERNATIVEEDUCATION La Crosse | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
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 Spence 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 Spence Elementary
What grades does Spence Elementary serve?
Spence Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Spence Elementary?
Spence Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spence Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Spence Elementary is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spence Elementary rank in WI?
Spence Elementary is ranked #148 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Spence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Spence 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 Spence Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spence Elementary has 53.4% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spence Elementary a charter school?
No, Spence Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spence Elementary a Title I school?
No, Spence Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spence Elementary?
57.5% of students at Spence 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
- 52 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 34 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 55 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
- 315
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- La Crosse County
- Phone
- (608) 789-7773
- 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
- #2 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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