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#1177 of 2,102 schools in WI

West Salem High

High School · West Salem School District

490 N Mark St, West Salem, WI 54669

Enrollment

606

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Salem

#3 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#159 of 499

In district

#3 of 3

West Salem School District

About West Salem High

West Salem High is a regular public high school located in West Salem, Wisconsin, on the fringe of an urban area. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade with an enrollment of 606 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide a supportive learning environment.

West Salem High has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and is ranked 1342nd among 2112 schools in Wisconsin, placing it at the 36th percentile overall. Academically, students perform with 47% proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 32% proficiency or above in Math, indicating areas for continued improvement. The school is situated in a town setting that offers a blend of rural and urban characteristics.

West Salem High focuses on fostering student development while working to enhance academic performance across all subjects.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,029

West Salem High — Students at West Salem High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How West Salem High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
44th percentile in WI
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

490 N Mark St, West Salem, WI 54669

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Salem High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Onalaska), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Onalaska High (rated 5.7/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Onalaska), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Logan High (rated 5.7/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby La Crosse), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Salem, see our West Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
West Salem Middle West Salem 0.2 mi 7.4
West Salem Elementary West Salem 0.2 mi 6.7
COULEE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Salem 0.4 mi 7.4
CHRIST-ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL West Salem 0.5 mi 4.8
ST PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bangor 4.6 mi
Bangor Elementary Bangor 4.7 mi 6.5
Bangor Middle/High Bangor 4.8 mi 4.9
North Woods International School La Crosse 6.1 mi 5.6
Eagle Bluff Elementary Onalaska 6.3 mi 7.0
Onalaska Prekindergarten Partner School Onalaska 6.3 mi 5.4
LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Onalaska 7.1 mi 7.1
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Onalaska 7.2 mi 5.7
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Onalaska 7.4 mi 7.6
Onalaska Middle Onalaska 7.6 mi 6.0
Onalaska High Onalaska 7.7 mi 5.7
Pertzsch Elementary Onalaska 7.7 mi 7.5
Northern Hills Elementary Onalaska 7.8 mi 6.7
SANDY OAK AMISH SCHOOL Rockland 8.0 mi
Sand Lake Elementary Holmen 8.3 mi 5.9
Logan High La Crosse 8.8 mi 5.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Salem High has a median household income of $100,214. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $288,600, with a median rent of $1,156/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Madison, WI 6.3
South Division High Milwaukee, WI 6.3
Jefferson High Jefferson, WI 6.2
Delavan-Darien High Delavan, WI 6.4
Bloomer High Bloomer, WI 6.5
East Troy High East Troy, WI 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Salem High

What grades does West Salem High serve?

West Salem High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Salem High?

West Salem High has an enrollment of approximately 606 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Salem High is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Salem High rank in WI?

West Salem High is ranked #1177 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is West Salem High's MySchoolScout rating?

West Salem High 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 West Salem High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Salem High has 32.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Salem High a charter school?

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

Is West Salem High a Title I school?

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

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

19.6% of students at West Salem High 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
Elevated (1,244/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
La Crosse County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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