Photo: Downspec · CC BY-SA 4.0Beaver Dam’s public schools score below 59% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Beaver Dam, 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 98% 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.
Beaver Dam’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1048 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Beaver Dam’s, its schools beat 52%, higher than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 36% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,130 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Beaver Dam Middle, then Beaver Dam High. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Wayland Academy (private), St. Katharine Drexel School (private) and St. Stephens Lutheran School (private) are in town. 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 Beaver Dam’s grade
C+: better than 41% of Wisconsin school districts, #266 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Test scores are above the Wisconsin average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Beaver Dam, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam Middle
Grades 6–8 · 633 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam Middle
Grades 6–8 · 633 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam Middle
Grades 6–8 · 633 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam High
Grades 9–12 · 1,031 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam High
Grades 9–12 · 1,031 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam High
Grades 9–12 · 1,031 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam High
Grades 9–12 · 1,031 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Beaver Dam’s public schools are run by Beaver Dam School District, which also serves Beaver Dam, Calamus, Trenton and Westford. 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.
Below the state in reading
Beaver Dam vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Beaver Dam’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam | C+ | Beaver Dam |
| Trenton | B− | Waupun PK–12 · Beaver Dam PK–12 |
| Westford | C+ | Randolph PK–12 · Beaver Dam PK–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Beaver Dam with Beaver Dam, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Beaver Dam
11 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).
Questions about Beaver Dam’s schools
Are Beaver Dam’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Beaver Dam children attend score below 59% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #266 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 52%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Beaver Dam in?
Beaver Dam School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,988 students in 8 schools (2024–25).
Where do Beaver Dam kids go to high school?
Beaver Dam High, with 1,031 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Beaver Dam’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Beaver Dam School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Beaver Dam spend per student?
$15,130 in Beaver Dam School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Beaver Dam?
Yes: Wayland Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 192 students), St. Katharine Drexel School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 167 students) and St. Stephens Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 95 students).
Parents talk
What Beaver Dam families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Beaver Dam → 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.