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#1215 of 2,102 schools in WI

Vel Phillips Middle School

Middle School · Oshkosh Area School District

1401 Kentucky St, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Enrollment

811

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oshkosh

#9 of 21

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#321 of 387

In district

#9 of 21

Oshkosh Area School District

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Vel Phillips Middle School

Vel Phillips Middle School serves 811 students in grades 6-8 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, offering a solid educational foundation with a favorable 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. With 70 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that supports middle schoolers during these crucial developmental years. The school earns a respectable 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #400 out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide.

This strong performance demonstrates the school's commitment to academic excellence and student success across all three middle school grade levels. Vel Phillips Middle School sits in a diverse community where families represent a range of economic backgrounds. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the character of many American communities, with a median household income of $58,499 and median home values around $151,700.

About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the school serves students from various socioeconomic circumstances, with a poverty rate of 20.3% in the area. Located on Kentucky Street in this small Wisconsin city of over 37,000 residents, Vel Phillips Middle School operates within a close-knit community setting where educators can build meaningful relationships with students and families throughout their middle school journey.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Vel Phillips Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency21%
Math vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,459

Vel Phillips Middle School — Students at Vel Phillips Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 25.1%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
21%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
21%
2025
Math
28.8%
ELA
31.2%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Vel Phillips Middle School Compares

See how Vel Phillips Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
42th percentile in WI
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
70 teachers

Location

1401 Kentucky St, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vel Phillips Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Tipler Middle (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Park Middle (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LOURDES ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Oshkosh, see our Oshkosh schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Webster Stanley Elementary Oshkosh 0.2 mi 5.4
Merrill Elementary Oshkosh 0.2 mi 4.0
Oaklawn Elementary Oshkosh 0.5 mi 4.8
Read Elementary Oshkosh 0.7 mi 5.2
North High Oshkosh 0.9 mi 5.3
MARTIN LUTHER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oshkosh 0.8 mi 5.5
E Cook Elementary Oshkosh 1.0 mi 6.1
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oshkosh 1.5 mi 7.2
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oshkosh 1.7 mi 5.1
Washington Elementary Oshkosh 1.5 mi 4.2
Roosevelt Elementary Oshkosh 1.3 mi 6.4
Jefferson Elementary Oshkosh 1.8 mi 5.6
LOURDES ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oshkosh 1.9 mi 4.8
LOURDES ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Oshkosh 1.7 mi 7.9
LOURDES ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Oshkosh 1.7 mi 6.9
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oshkosh 2.1 mi 5.9
South Park Middle Oshkosh 2.2 mi 7.1
West High Oshkosh 1.8 mi 6.4
Franklin Elementary Oshkosh 2.1 mi 6.3
Tipler Middle Oshkosh 2.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,734

Median Home Value

$164,000

Median Rent

$932/mo

Population

36,999

College Educated

24.2%

Homeownership

50.4%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Median Age

30.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vel Phillips Middle School has a median household income of $61,734. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $932/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Aldrich Intermediate Beloit, WI 6.3
Elkhorn Area Middle Elkhorn, WI 6.1
Parkview Middle Green Bay, WI 6.1
Urban Middle Sheboygan, WI 6.1
Franklin Middle Janesville, WI 6.0
Glen Hills Middle Glendale, WI 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vel Phillips Middle School

What grades does Vel Phillips Middle School serve?

Vel Phillips Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Vel Phillips Middle School?

Vel Phillips Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 811 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vel Phillips Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vel Phillips Middle School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vel Phillips Middle School rank in WI?

Vel Phillips Middle School is ranked #1215 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Vel Phillips Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vel Phillips Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Vel Phillips Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vel Phillips Middle School has 25.1% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vel Phillips Middle School a charter school?

No, Vel Phillips Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vel Phillips Middle School a Title I school?

No, Vel Phillips Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vel Phillips Middle School?

64.5% of students at Vel Phillips Middle School 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 (1,685/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
811
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
70
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Winnebago County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Oshkosh Area School District
District Enrollment
9,113
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,676
District Rank
#9 of 21

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

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