Skip to main content

Excellent

#141 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 7% in state

Waunakee Heritage Elementary

Elementary School · Waunakee Community School District

501 South St, Waunakee, WI 53597

Enrollment

575

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#141 of 2,105

In Waunakee

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Waunakee Community School District

Equity

9.1 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Waunakee Heritage Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Waunakee Heritage Elementary

8.8/10

Elementary School in Waunakee · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St John the Baptist Catholic School

7.2/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Waunakee High

7.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Waunakee Heritage Elementary

Waunakee Heritage Elementary is a public elementary school in Waunakee, WI, part of Waunakee Community School District. Waunakee Heritage Elementary serves approximately 575 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Waunakee Heritage Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #141 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Waunakee Heritage Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.3
  • WI avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.2% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.3% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.1 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,152
Chronic Absenteeism13.4%

Waunakee Heritage Elementary — Students at Waunakee Heritage Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 60.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.2% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 32 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
55.7%
ELA
52.8%
2025
Math
70.2%
ELA
77.4%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Waunakee Heritage Elementary Compares

See how Waunakee Heritage Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
93th percentile in WI
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

501 South St, Waunakee, WI 53597

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waunakee Heritage Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Northside Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Middleton), with a comparable rating. Another option is Arboretum Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Waunakee Prairie Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waunakee, see our Waunakee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waunakee 0.1 mi 7.2
Waunakee High Waunakee 0.3 mi 7.0
Waunakee Middle Waunakee 0.4 mi 8.1
Waunakee Prairie Elementary Waunakee 0.8 mi 8.0
Waunakee Community 4K School Waunakee 1.1 mi 3.3
Waunakee Intermediate Waunakee 1.3 mi 9.0
Arboretum Elementary Waunakee 2.0 mi 8.2
MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Waunakee 3.8 mi 9.0
Mendota Mental Health Institution Madison 4.6 mi
BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dane 4.9 mi 7.5
Lindbergh Elementary Madison 4.5 mi 5.5
Northside Elementary Middleton 5.6 mi 8.4
Mendota Elementary Madison 5.0 mi 5.5
WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Middleton 5.6 mi 7.5
Black Hawk Middle Madison 5.1 mi 4.3
Gompers Elementary Madison 5.2 mi 7.5
Kromrey Middle Middleton 6.2 mi 8.4
Sauk Trail Elementary Middleton 6.4 mi 7.6
ST PETER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Middleton 5.5 mi 4.9
Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District 4K Middleton 6.5 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53597 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,542

Median Home Value

$462,900

Median Rent

$1,336/mo

Population

20,671

College Educated

57.5%

Homeownership

74.4%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

42.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bay Harbor Elementary Suamico, WI 8.8
Horicon Elementary School Horicon, WI 8.8
Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners Green Bay, WI 8.8
Maple Avenue Elementary Sussex, WI 8.8
Meadow View Elementary Oconomowoc, WI 8.8
Mineral Point Elementary Mineral Point, WI 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waunakee Heritage Elementary

What grades does Waunakee Heritage Elementary serve?

Waunakee Heritage Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Waunakee Heritage Elementary?

Waunakee Heritage Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 575 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waunakee Heritage Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Waunakee Heritage Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waunakee Heritage Elementary rank in WI?

Waunakee Heritage Elementary ranks #141 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Waunakee Heritage Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Waunakee Heritage Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Waunakee Heritage Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Waunakee Heritage Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Waunakee Heritage Elementary a charter school?

No, Waunakee Heritage Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waunakee Heritage Elementary a Title I school?

No, Waunakee Heritage Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waunakee Heritage Elementary?

12.3% of students at Waunakee Heritage 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Bike Score
67 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

District

Waunakee Community School District
District Enrollment
4,410
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,152
District Rank
#2 of 7

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.