Excellent
#301 of 2,105 schools in WI
Top 14% 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
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#301 of 2,105
In La Crosse
#2 of 19
public schools
In district
#2 of 19
La Crosse School District
Equity
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Spence Elementary
Elementary School in La Crosse · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Longfellow Middle
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Spence Elementary
Spence Elementary is a public elementary school in La Crosse, WI, part of La Crosse School District. Spence Elementary serves approximately 315 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Spence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #301 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Spence Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 6.7
- WI avg 6.8
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Spence Elementary — Students at Spence Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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 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: 8.2/10.
How Spence Elementary Compares
See how Spence 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
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 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Southern Bluffs Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Emerson Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.9 |
| Longfellow Middle La Crosse | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 3.8 |
| DRIFTLESS PASS SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.3 mi | — |
| Hintgen Elementary La Crosse | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| Hamilton Elementary School La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Emerson Elementary La Crosse | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| La Crosse Polytechnic School La Crosse | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Coulee Region Virtual Academy La Crosse | 2.1 mi | 2.0 |
| Southern Bluffs Elementary La Crosse | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Auburndale Elementary Auburndale, WI | 8.3 |
| Augusta Elementary Augusta, WI | 8.3 |
| Brooklyn Elementary Brooklyn, WI | 8.3 |
| Deerfield Elementary Oak Creek, WI | 8.3 |
| Edgewood Elementary Greenfield, WI | 8.3 |
| Fairview Elementary Plymouth, WI | 8.3 |
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 ranks #301 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Spence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Spence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Spence Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Spence Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.8%
- Phone
- (608) 789-7773
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
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