Needs Improvement
#2026 of 2,102 schools in WI
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)
Elementary School · McFarland School District
4721 Dale-Curtin Dr, Mcfarland, WI 53558
Enrollment
1,336
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,336
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mcfarland
#7 of 9
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#1,070 of 1,099
In district
#7 of 9
McFarland School District
About Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (WIVA) serves 1,336 students in kindergarten through eighth grade as a charter school operating from McFarland, Wisconsin. This online public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1 with 65 full-time equivalent teachers providing virtual instruction to families across the state. WIVA holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1987 out of 2112 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 6th percentile with significant room for academic growth.
As a virtual academy, the school offers families an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar education, allowing students to learn from home while following public school curriculum standards. The school's administrative base is located in McFarland, situated within Dane County's 53558 ZIP code area. This affluent suburban community boasts a median household income of $98,160 and median home values of $357,900, with 52% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 2.1%.
While WIVA's current academic performance indicates challenges, the virtual format provides flexibility for families seeking personalized learning environments or those who cannot access traditional schools. The school operates within Wisconsin's well-educated suburban corridor, serving families throughout the state from its large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) is 20.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) — Students at Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.2/10.
How Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) Compares
See how Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 18% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 33% (2021).
Location
4721 Dale-Curtin Dr, Mcfarland, WI 53558
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Monona), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waubesa Intermediate (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dr Virginia Henderson Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Madison), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mcfarland, see our Mcfarland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Virtual Academy High (WIVA) Mcfarland | 0.0 mi | 2.4 |
| Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High Mcfarland | 0.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Insight School of Wisconsin High Mcfarland | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Indian Mound Middle Mcfarland | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| McFarland High Mcfarland | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Conrad Elvehjem Primary School Mcfarland | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| 4K McFarland Mcfarland | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Waubesa Intermediate Mcfarland | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| THREE ANGELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 2.7 mi | — |
| Milestone Democratic School Madison | 3.1 mi | — |
| Dr Virginia Henderson Elementary School Madison | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| One City Elementary School Madison | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| One City Preparatory Academy Madison | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| LaFollette High Madison | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Sennett Middle Madison | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Monona Grove Liberal Arts Monona | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Monona | 3.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Nuestro Mundo Monona | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Monona Grove High Monona | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53558 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,167
Median Home Value
$377,500
Median Rent
$1,501/mo
Population
13,133
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
77.8%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) has a median household income of $107,167. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $377,500, with a median rent of $1,501/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Mitchell School Racine, WI | 4.7 |
| Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum Kenosha, WI | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)
What grades does Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) serve?
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)?
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) has an enrollment of approximately 1,336 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)?
The student-teacher ratio at Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) rank in WI?
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) is ranked #2026 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)'s MySchoolScout rating?
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) has 12.3% math proficiency and 22.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) a charter school?
Yes, Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) a Title I school?
No, Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva)?
71.3% of students at Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (wiva) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,336
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dane County
- Phone
- (608) 838-9482
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McFarland School District- District Enrollment
- 5,639
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,862
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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