Photo: Jasperthedog28 · CC BY-SA 4.0Appleton’s public schools score below 66% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Appleton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Wisconsin, not nationally.
From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Appleton’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,628 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Classical School, Renaissance School, Tesla Engineering Charter School, Fox River Academy, Appleton Public Montessori, Stephen Foster Elementary Charter, Fox Cities Leadership Academy, Kaleidoscope Academy, Appleton Bilingual School, Appleton Technical Academy, Valley New School, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System (private), Fox Valley Lutheran High School (private), Xavier High School (private), Mount Olive Lutheran School (private), Riverview Lutheran School (private), St. Paul Lutheran School (private), Celebration Lutheran School (private) and Fox Valley Montessori Academy (private) are in town. Appleton eSchool, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Appleton’s grade
C: better than 34% of Wisconsin school districts, #292 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Both inputs trail the Wisconsin average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Appleton, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Appleton · depends on your address
North High
Grades 9–12 · 1,635 students · 17:1 students per teacher
East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,238 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,024 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Appleton · depends on your address
North High
Grades 9–12 · 1,635 students · 17:1 students per teacher
East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,238 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,024 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Appleton’s public schools are run by Appleton Area School District, which also serves Grand Chute, Harrison and Menasha. Parts of Appleton (9% and 4% of its land) are served by Freedom Area and Kimberly Area instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Appleton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Appleton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton | C | Appleton Area |
| Grand Chute | C | Appleton Area |
| Harrison | A− | Kaukauna Area PK–12 · Hilbert PK–12 |
| Freedom | B | Freedom Area |
| Fox Crossing | A− | Neenah |
| Menasha | C+ | Menasha PK–12 · Appleton Area PK–12 |
| Center | A− | Hortonville PK–12 · Freedom Area PK–12 |
| Buchanan | A− | Kaukauna Area |
| Harrison (town) | — | Appleton Area |
| Little Chute | A− | Little Chute Area PK–12 · Kaukauna Area PK–12 |
| Kimberly | A | Kimberly Area |
| Vandenbroek | A− | Kaukauna Area |
3 of the 11 neighbors share Appleton Area with Appleton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Appleton
42 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Wisconsin’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Appleton Cooperative Educational Center and The Omolade Academy).
Questions about Appleton’s schools
Are Appleton’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Appleton children attend score below 66% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #292 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Appleton in?
Appleton Area School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,994 students in 38 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Appleton are served by Freedom Area and Kimberly Area.
Where do Appleton kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: North High, East High and West High.
What is Appleton’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Appleton Area School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Appleton spend per student?
$14,628 in Appleton Area School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Appleton?
Yes: St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,407 students), Fox Valley Lutheran High School (religious, grades 9–12, 745 students), Xavier High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 457 students), Mount Olive Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 320 students), Riverview Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 156 students), St. Paul Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 145 students), Celebration Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 87 students) and Fox Valley Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 71 students). Appleton also has 11 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Appleton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Appleton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Wisconsin. Stars are from neighbors.