Photo: Bohao Zhao · CC BY 3.0La Crosse’s public schools score below 72% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in La Crosse’s districts is 29%, below the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving La Crosse, 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 93% 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.
La Crosse’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 644 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of La Crosse’s, its schools beat 40%, higher than their 28% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,797 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
School of Technology and Arts I, School of Technology and Arts II, Coulee Montessori Charter School, La Crosse Polytechnic School, Aquinas Catholic Schools (private), Cathedral School (private), Blessed Sacrament School (private), Aquinas High School (private), Immanuel Lutheran School (private), Chileda (private), Coulee Connections - Alternativeeducation (private) and Driftless Pass School (private) are in town. Coulee Region Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 La Crosse’s grade
C: better than 28% of Wisconsin school districts, #304 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve La Crosse, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in La Crosse · depends on your address
Longfellow Middle
Grades 6–8 · 631 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Logan Middle
Grades 6–8 · 424 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in La Crosse · depends on your address
Longfellow Middle
Grades 6–8 · 631 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Logan Middle
Grades 6–8 · 424 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in La Crosse · depends on your address
Longfellow Middle
Grades 6–8 · 631 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Logan Middle
Grades 6–8 · 424 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in La Crosse · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 969 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Logan High
Grades 9–12 · 729 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in La Crosse · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 969 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Logan High
Grades 9–12 · 729 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in La Crosse · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 969 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Logan High
Grades 9–12 · 729 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in La Crosse · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 969 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Logan High
Grades 9–12 · 729 students · 11:1 students per teacher
La Crosse’s public schools are run by La Crosse School District, which also serves Bergen, Campbell, Greenfield and Medary and others. Parts of La Crosse (5% of its land) are served by 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.
Below the state in reading
La Crosse vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share La Crosse’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | C | La Crosse |
| Shelby | C | La Crosse |
| Medary | C | La Crosse |
| Campbell | C | La Crosse |
| Onalaska | B+ | Onalaska |
| Onalaska (town) | B+ | Holmen |
3 of the 5 neighbors share La Crosse with La Crosse, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. La Crescent, MN borders La Crosse but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in La Crosse
26 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 La Crosse’s schools
Are La Crosse’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools La Crosse children attend score below 72% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #304 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is La Crosse in?
La Crosse School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,717 students in 19 schools (2024–25). Small parts of La Crosse are served by Onalaska.
Where do La Crosse kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Central High and Logan High.
What is La Crosse’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in La Crosse School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does La Crosse spend per student?
$19,797 in La Crosse School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in La Crosse?
Yes: Aquinas Catholic Schools (Catholic, grades K–12, 954 students), Cathedral School (Catholic, grades PK–2, 176 students), Blessed Sacrament School (Catholic, grades 3–6, 173 students), Aquinas High School (Catholic, grades 7–8, 157 students), Immanuel Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 77 students), Chileda (special education, grades 2–12, 61 students), Coulee Connections - Alternativeeducation (nonsectarian, grades 3–12, 26 students) and Driftless Pass School (special education, grades 7–12, 8 students). La Crosse also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What La Crosse families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near La Crosse → 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.