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Average

#1741 of 2,102 schools in WI

Wise Academy

School · Nekoosa School District

540 Birch St, Nekoosa, WI 54457

Charter

Enrollment

218

Student-Teacher

72.7:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nekoosa

#4 of 5

public schools

Wisconsin schools

#91 of 117

In district

#4 of 5

Nekoosa School District

About Wise Academy

WISE Academy in Nekoosa, Wisconsin is a charter school serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 218 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 72.7:1, the school has three full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse academic needs. WISE Academy offers a comprehensive education with room for improvement in test scores, ranking at 3.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout’s rating scale and placing it in the 21st percentile among Wisconsin schools.

The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 41%, while Math proficiency stands at 33%. Despite these numbers, WISE Academy continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive learning environment. The school is situated in the heart of Nekoosa’s town setting, fostering a sense of community among students, teachers, and parents.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Wise Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Wise Academy is 72.7:1, 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.

Wise Academy 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg-24.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-19.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio72.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,780

Wise Academy — Students at Wise Academy score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 41.0%
School
State
51.9%

Based on 14 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
33.5%
ELA
42.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Wise Academy Compares

See how Wise Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
17th percentile in WI
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
73:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

540 Birch St, Nekoosa, WI 54457

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wise Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (rated 6.6/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Wisconsin Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 3.9/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Wisconsin Rapids), a more accessible option. For more schools in Nekoosa, see our Nekoosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Alexander Middle Nekoosa 0.0 mi 7.3
Central Wisconsin STEM Academy Nekoosa 0.0 mi 3.4
Nekoosa High Nekoosa 0.4 mi 5.2
Nekoosa Academy Nekoosa 0.4 mi
Humke Elementary Nekoosa 0.6 mi 7.2
Port Edwards Ed Heuer Elementary School Port Edwards 3.8 mi 6.4
John Edwards Middle Port Edwards 3.8 mi 7.1
John Edwards High Port Edwards 3.8 mi 3.7
Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle Wisconsin Rapids 5.6 mi 5.5
GOOD SHEPHERD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 5.4 mi 3.9
Woodside Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 6.1 mi 5.8
Mead Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 6.9 mi 8.0
Grove Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 6.2 mi 7.1
OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 6.7 mi 7.0
ST PAULS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 6.9 mi 4.2
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Wisconsin Rapids 6.9 mi 6.6
Central Oaks Academy Wisconsin Rapids 7.1 mi 3.9
Howe Elementary Wisconsin Rapids 7.4 mi 8.5
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids 7.3 mi 6.7
Lincoln High Wisconsin Rapids 7.2 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54457 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,005

Median Home Value

$169,500

Median Rent

$718/mo

Population

8,262

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

86.5%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

54.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wise Academy has a median household income of $72,005. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,500, with a median rent of $718/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Lighthouse Learning Academy Two Rivers, WI 5.1
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Allis, WI 5.1
Hayward Ctr for Individualized Learning Hayward, WI 5.2
Wausau Area Virtual Education Wausau, WI 5.3
ST THOMAS AQUINAS ACADEMY Marinette, WI 4.8
EARLY VIEW ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Milwaukee, WI 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wise Academy

What grades does Wise Academy serve?

Wise Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Wise Academy?

Wise Academy has an enrollment of approximately 218 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wise Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Wise Academy is 72.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wise Academy rank in WI?

Wise Academy is ranked #1741 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Wise Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Wise Academy has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Wise Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wise Academy has 33.0% math proficiency and 41.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wise Academy a charter school?

Yes, Wise Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Wise Academy a Title I school?

No, Wise Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wise Academy?

18.3% of students at Wise Academy 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

County Safety
Low (131/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
218
Student-Teacher Ratio
72.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Wood County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nekoosa School District
District Enrollment
1,226
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,744
District Rank
#4 of 5

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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