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Schools in Hamilton · West Salem School District

Hamilton’s public schools outscore 81% of Wisconsin districts

In Hamilton, 51% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Hamilton, 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
46%
▲ 8 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
51%
▲ 12 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 4–10 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.8K
▼ 4% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.3
WI 13.6
Schools in town
0
1,814 students on the public path
In brief

Hamilton’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 46% and math 51% 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

The district spends $15,788 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is West Salem Middle, then West Salem High. See the path ↓

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 Hamilton’s grade

A− Test scoresB Graduation

A−: better than 81% of Wisconsin school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Wisconsin average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 81%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (782)Better than 82%
Towns in La Crosse County (12)Better than 83%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 951 test results and a graduating class of 143 could put Hamilton anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Hamilton’s students in the tested grades sat them (951 in math, 951 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–4West Salem Elementaryin West SalemB
5–8West Salem Middlein West SalemA−
9–12West Salem Highin West SalemB

Hamilton’s public schools are run by West Salem School District, which also serves Barre, Greenfield, Washington and West Salem. Parts of Hamilton (8%, 4% and 2% of its land) are served by Holmen, Melrose-Mindoro and Onalaska 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.

West Salem School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,814 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 13.3 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$15,788WI $16,459 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading46%
State average 38.1% · 951 students tested
Math51%
State average 38.7% · 951 students tested

Hamilton vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HamiltonA−West Salem
FarmingtonC+Melrose-Mindoro
OnalaskaB+Holmen
Onalaska (city)B+Onalaska
Burns—Bangor
BarreA−West Salem
Bangor—Bangor
MedaryCLa Crosse

Every school in Hamilton

3 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 Hamiltonin other towns
West Salem Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · West Salem
B
677 students13:1Rate it →
West Salem Middle
Middle · Grades 5–8 · West Salem
A−
534 students13:1Rate it →
West Salem High
High · Grades 9–12 · West Salem
B
603 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Hamilton’s schools

Are Hamilton’s schools good?

By Wisconsin’s own tests, yes: the public schools Hamilton children attend outscore 81% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Hamilton in?

West Salem School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,814 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Hamilton are served by Holmen, Melrose-Mindoro and Onalaska.

Where do Hamilton kids go to high school?

West Salem High in West Salem, with 603 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Hamilton’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Hamilton spend per student?

$15,788 in West Salem School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Hamilton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hamilton → 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.