Skip to main content

Excellent

#282 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 13% in state

West Salem Elementary

Elementary School · West Salem School District

475 N Mark St, West Salem, WI 54669

Enrollment

686

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#282 of 2,105

In West Salem

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

West Salem School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around West Salem 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.

West Salem Elementary

8.4/10

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

West Salem Middle

8.3/10

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

West Salem High

5.8/10

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

About West Salem Elementary

West Salem Elementary is a public elementary school in West Salem, WI, part of West Salem School District. West Salem Elementary serves approximately 686 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. West Salem Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #282 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for West Salem Elementary show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts above WI schools
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

West Salem Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.3% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,469
Chronic Absenteeism8.2%

West Salem Elementary — Students at West Salem Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 55.9% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
33%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
54.6%
ELA
47.2%
2025
Math
67.1%
ELA
66.3%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How West Salem Elementary Compares

See how West Salem Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
87th percentile in WI
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.2%

Location

475 N Mark St, West Salem, WI 54669

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Salem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pertzsch Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Onalaska), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Eagle Bluff Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Onalaska), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bangor Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Bangor), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Salem, see our West Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.9 mi
School Distance Rating
West Salem Middle West Salem 0.1 mi 8.3
West Salem High West Salem 0.2 mi 5.8
COULEE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Salem 0.5 mi 7.4
CHRIST-ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL West Salem 0.7 mi 4.8
ST PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bangor 4.4 mi
Bangor Elementary Bangor 4.5 mi 7.9
Bangor Middle/High Bangor 4.6 mi 6.4
North Woods International School La Crosse 6.2 mi 7.5
Eagle Bluff Elementary Onalaska 6.4 mi 8.3
Onalaska Prekindergarten Partner School Onalaska 6.4 mi 3.4
LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Onalaska 7.3 mi 7.1
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Onalaska 7.4 mi 5.7
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Onalaska 7.5 mi 7.6
Onalaska Middle Onalaska 7.8 mi 6.7
Onalaska High Onalaska 7.9 mi 5.2
SANDY OAK AMISH SCHOOL Rockland 7.8 mi
Pertzsch Elementary Onalaska 7.9 mi 8.9
Northern Hills Elementary Onalaska 8.0 mi 7.7
Sand Lake Elementary Holmen 8.5 mi 7.2
Logan High La Crosse 8.9 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54669 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,214

Median Home Value

$288,600

Median Rent

$1,156/mo

Population

8,227

College Educated

42.3%

Homeownership

83.1%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Atwater Elementary Shorewood, WI 8.4
Bristol Elementary Bristol, WI 8.4
Meadow View Elementary Sun Prairie, WI 8.4
Merton Primary Merton, WI 8.4
Minocqua Elementary Minocqua, WI 8.4
Prairie Ridge Intermediate Reedsburg, WI 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Salem Elementary

What grades does West Salem Elementary serve?

West Salem Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend West Salem Elementary?

West Salem Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 686 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Salem Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at West Salem Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Salem Elementary rank in WI?

West Salem Elementary ranks #282 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is West Salem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

West Salem Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 West Salem Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Salem Elementary has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Salem Elementary a charter school?

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

Is West Salem Elementary a Title I school?

No, West Salem Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Salem Elementary?

26.4% of students at West Salem 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
686
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
La Crosse County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.2%

District

West Salem School District
District Enrollment
1,841
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,469
District Rank
#1 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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.