Burke’s public schools outscore 67% of Wisconsin districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Burke, 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 95% 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.
Burke’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 42% and math 43% across both districts in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
DeForest Area spends $14,469 per student and Sun Prairie Area $15,847, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Burke’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Wisconsin school districts, #156 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Wisconsin average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Burke, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Burke · depends on your address
Sun Prairie East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,340 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
De Forest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,137 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in DeForest
10th grade in Burke · depends on your address
Sun Prairie East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,340 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
De Forest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,137 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in DeForest
11th grade in Burke · depends on your address
Sun Prairie East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,340 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
De Forest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,137 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in DeForest
12th grade in Burke · depends on your address
Sun Prairie East High
Grades 9–12 · 1,340 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Sun Prairie
De Forest High
Grades 9–12 · 1,137 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in DeForest
Burke runs its own schools through grade 12 (DeForest Area School District). From grade PK, students attend the Sun Prairie Area School District, shared with Bristol, Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie. Its elementary school is in Windsor. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Burke
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Burke vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Burke’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Burke | B+ | DeForest Area PK–12 · Sun Prairie Area PK–12 |
| Madison | C | Madison Metropolitan |
| DeForest | B+ | DeForest Area |
| Sun Prairie | B | Sun Prairie Area |
| Sun Prairie (town) | B | Sun Prairie Area PK–12 · Marshall PK–12 |
| Windsor | B+ | DeForest Area |
2 of the 5 neighbors share DeForest Area with Burke for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Burke
19 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 Burke’s schools
Are Burke’s schools good?
By Wisconsin’s own tests, yes: the public schools Burke children attend outscore 67% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #156 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 66%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Burke in?
Two districts: DeForest Area School District runs grades PK–12, and Sun Prairie Area School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Bristol, Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie.
Where do Burke kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Sun Prairie East High, Sun Prairie West High and De Forest High.
What is Burke’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Sun Prairie Area School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Burke spend per student?
$14,469 in DeForest Area School District and $15,847 in Sun Prairie Area School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Burke families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Burke → 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.