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#1172 of 2,102 schools in WI

Waunakee Prairie Elementary

Elementary School · Waunakee Community School District

700 N Madison St, Waunakee, WI 53597

Enrollment

524

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waunakee

#5 of 7

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#679 of 1,099

In district

#5 of 7

Waunakee Community School District

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Waunakee Prairie Elementary

Waunakee Prairie Elementary serves 524 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in Waunakee, Wisconsin. This regular public school maintains a favorable 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 43 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with personalized attention during their foundational learning years. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #431 out of 2,112 Wisconsin elementary schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 68% achieving proficient or above levels, while 59% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the school's commitment to building strong foundational skills in core academic areas. Waunakee Prairie Elementary benefits from serving an affluent and highly educated community.

The surrounding 53597 zip code area has a median household income of $113,129 and median home value of $428,700, with 57% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of just 3.6% among the area's 20,517 residents creates a stable environment that supports student learning. The school is situated in a large suburban setting in Dane County, offering families the advantages of suburban living while maintaining access to quality elementary education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg+7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,753

Waunakee Prairie Elementary — Students at Waunakee Prairie Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

5.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.4%
School
State
53.6%
ELA Proficiency 59.2%
School
State
51.2%

Based on 8 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
68.3%
ELA
65.5%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Waunakee Prairie Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
44th percentile in WI
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

700 N Madison St, Waunakee, WI 53597

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waunakee Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waunakee Heritage Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Dane), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Middleton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waunakee, see our Waunakee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waunakee 0.7 mi 7.3
Waunakee Heritage Elementary Waunakee 0.8 mi 7.8
Waunakee High Waunakee 1.1 mi 7.0
Waunakee Middle Waunakee 1.2 mi 7.6
Waunakee Community 4K School Waunakee 1.5 mi 5.3
Waunakee Intermediate Waunakee 1.9 mi 7.4
Arboretum Elementary Waunakee 2.4 mi 5.6
BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dane 4.3 mi 7.5
MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Waunakee 4.2 mi 9.0
Mendota Mental Health Institution Madison 5.2 mi
Lindbergh Elementary Madison 5.0 mi 4.1
Mendota Elementary Madison 5.5 mi 6.3
Northside Elementary Middleton 6.3 mi 5.8
Black Hawk Middle Madison 5.5 mi 5.9
Gompers Elementary Madison 5.6 mi 7.2
WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Middleton 6.3 mi 7.5
ST PETER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Middleton 6.0 mi 4.9
Kromrey Middle Middleton 7.0 mi 8.2
Sauk Trail Elementary Middleton 7.2 mi 5.3
Yahara Elementary De Forest 6.0 mi 5.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waunakee Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $114,542. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,900, with a median rent of $1,336/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Clinton Elementary Clinton, WI 6.3
Elvehjem Elementary Madison, WI 6.3
Emerson Elementary La Crosse, WI 6.3
Fairview Elementary Milwaukee, WI 6.3
Franklin Elementary Oshkosh, WI 6.3
Glacier Edge Elementary Verona, WI 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waunakee Prairie Elementary

What grades does Waunakee Prairie Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Waunakee Prairie Elementary?

Waunakee Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Waunakee Prairie Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waunakee Prairie Elementary rank in WI?

Waunakee Prairie Elementary is ranked #1172 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Waunakee Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Waunakee Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Waunakee Prairie Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waunakee Prairie Elementary has 68.4% math proficiency and 59.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waunakee Prairie Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Waunakee Prairie Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

5.7% of students at Waunakee Prairie 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

City Safety
Average (315/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
5.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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