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C+
Schools in Cato · Valders Area School District, Reedsville School District

Cato’s public schools score below 56% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the two public school districts serving Cato, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
38%
▲ 0 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
36%
▼ 3 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 4–10 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.2K
▼ 14% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024 · Valders Area
Students per teacher
13.3
WI 13.6
Schools in town
1
1,246 students on the public path
In brief

Cato’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1242 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cato’s, its schools beat 38%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in reading, below in math

Reading proficiency is 38% and math 36% across both districts in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Valders Area spends $14,212 per student and Reedsville $15,342, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Mary/St. Michael School (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Cato’s grade

C+ Test scoresB Graduation

C+: better than 44% of Wisconsin school districts. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 44%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1242)Better than 38%
Towns in Manitowoc County (18)Better than 39%
CB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 753 test results and a graduating class of 73 could put Cato anywhere from C to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Cato’s students in the tested grades sat them (754 in math, 752 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cato, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–62 schoolsDepends on your addressB− to B+
7–122 schoolsDepends on your addressB− to B

Cato runs its own schools through grade 12 (Valders Area School District). From grade PK, students attend the Reedsville School District, shared with Franklin, Kellnersville, Maple Grove, Morrison, Reedsville and Rockland. Its school is in Valders. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Cato

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Valders Area School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 961 students · 14.0 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$14,212WI $16,459 · FY2024
B
Reedsville School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 576 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 12.3 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$15,342WI $16,459 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Valders Area School District43%
State average 38.1% · 494 students tested
Math · PK–12, Valders Area School District39%
State average 38.7% · 496 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Reedsville School District29%
State average 38.1% · 258 students tested
Math · PK–12, Reedsville School District29%
State average 38.7% · 258 students tested

Cato vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Cato’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CatoC+Valders Area PK–12 · Reedsville PK–12
Valders—Valders Area
LibertyBValders Area
FranklinDReedsville
Rockland—Reedsville PK–12 · Valders Area PK–12
Manitowoc RapidsC−Manitowoc PK–12 · Valders Area PK–12

4 of the 5 neighbors share Valders Area with Cato for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Cato

5 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).

Also serving Catoin other towns
Valders Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Valders
B+
411 students19:1Rate it →
Reedsville Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Reedsville
B−
320 students13:1Rate it →
Valders Middle
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Valders
B−
259 students12:1Rate it →
Reedsville Jr/Sr High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Reedsville
B
256 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Mary/St. Michael School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
55 students11:1Rate it →

Questions about Cato’s schools

Are Cato’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cato children attend score below 56% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 38%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Cato in?

Two districts: Valders Area School District runs grades PK–12, and Reedsville School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Franklin, Kellnersville, Maple Grove, Morrison, Reedsville and Rockland.

What is Cato’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Valders Area School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.

How much does Cato spend per student?

$14,212 in Valders Area School District and $15,342 in Reedsville School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Cato?

Yes: St. Mary/St. Michael School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 55 students).

Parents talk

What Cato families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cato → 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.