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Schools in Independence · Independence School District, Arcadia School District

Independence’s public schools score below 78% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

In Independence, 25% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Independence, 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
26%
▼ 12 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
25%
▼ 13 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 4–10 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.0K
▼ 15% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024 · Arcadia
Students per teacher
12.9
WI 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
425 students on the public path
In brief

Independence’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 749 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Independence’s, its schools beat 29%, higher than their 22% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 26% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin (the state reports Independence’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Independence spends $16,145 per student and Arcadia $14,001, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

SS Peter & Paul Catholic 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 Independence’s grade

D Test scoresB Graduation

C−: better than 22% of Wisconsin school districts. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (749)Better than 29%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 811 test results and a graduating class of 114 could put Independence anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Independence’s students in the tested grades sat them (821 in math, 800 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Independence ElementaryIndependence School DistrictC−
6–8Independence MiddleIndependence School DistrictC
9–12Independence HighIndependence School DistrictD

Independence runs its own schools through grade 12 (Independence School District). From grade PK, students attend the Arcadia School District, shared with Arcadia, Arcadia, Dodge, Glencoe, Montana and Waumandee. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Independence

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

Independence School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 425 students, up 10% since 2020–21 · 11.6 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$16,145WI $16,459 · FY2024
C−
Arcadia School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,303 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 13.4 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$14,001WI $16,459 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Independence School District32%
State average 38.1% · 200 students tested
Math · PK–12, Independence School District26%
State average 38.7% · 214 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Arcadia School District24%
State average 38.1% · 600 students tested
Math · PK–12, Arcadia School District25%
State average 38.7% · 607 students tested

Independence vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IndependenceC−Independence PK–12 · Arcadia PK–12
ArcadiaCArcadia
Burnside—Independence
Lincoln—Whitehall PK–12 · Independence PK–12
WhitehallCWhitehall

2 of the 4 neighbors share Independence with Independence for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Independence

4 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).

District schools in Independenceby address
Independence Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
182 students10:1Rate it →
Independence Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
101 students13:1Rate it →
Independence High
High · Grades 9–12
D
142 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
SS Peter & Paul Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
69 students7:1Rate it →

Questions about Independence’s schools

Are Independence’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Independence children attend score below 78% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Independence in?

Two districts: Independence School District runs grades PK–12, and Arcadia School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Arcadia, Arcadia, Dodge, Glencoe, Montana and Waumandee.

Where do Independence kids go to high school?

Independence High, with 142 students; its own test results earn a D.

What is Independence’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Independence spend per student?

$16,145 in Independence School District and $14,001 in Arcadia School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Independence?

Yes: SS Peter & Paul Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 69 students).

Parents talk

What Independence families are saying about school.

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Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Independence → 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.