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McFarland HouseMcFarland House · Photo: James Steakley · CC BY-SA 3.0
D
Schools in McFarland · McFarland School District

McFarland’s public schools score below 90% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

In McFarland, 31% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Wisconsin average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving McFarland, 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.

#350of 362 Wisconsin townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 79% 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
31%
▼ 7 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
31%
▼ 8 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
78%
▼ 12 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.2K
▼ 20% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.2
WI 13.6 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
2,337 students on the public path
In brief

McFarland’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1127 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of McFarland’s, its schools beat 5%, lower than their 10% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 79% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,217 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Waubesa Intermediate, then Indian Mound Middle, then McFarland High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8, Wisconsin Virtual Academy High, Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High and Insight School of Wisconsin High, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 McFarland’s grade

C Test scoresD− Graduation

D: better than 10% of Wisconsin school districts, #350 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Both inputs trail the Wisconsin average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 10%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1127)Better than 5%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,548 test results and a graduating class of 861 could put McFarland anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 79% of McFarland’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,547 in math, 2,548 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2Conrad Elvehjem Primary SchoolMcFarland School DistrictNo scores
3–5Waubesa IntermediateMcFarland School DistrictB
6–8Indian Mound MiddleMcFarland School DistrictB
9–12McFarland HighMcFarland School DistrictB

McFarland’s public schools are run by McFarland School District, which also serves Dunn. 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.

McFarland School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 9 schools · 5,921 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 16.2 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$13,217WI $16,459 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading31%
State average 38.1% · 2548 students tested
Math31%
State average 38.7% · 2547 students tested

McFarland vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
McFarlandDMcFarland
DunnC+Oregon PK–12 · McFarland PK–12 · Stoughton Area PK–12
MadisonCMadison Metropolitan
Blooming GroveB+Oregon PK–12 · Monona Grove PK–12
Cottage GroveBMonona Grove PK–12 · Deerfield PK–12
Pleasant SpringsBStoughton Area

Every school in McFarland

9 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 McFarlandby address
Conrad Elvehjem Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
449 students11:1Rate it →
4K McFarland
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
138 students34:1Rate it →
Waubesa Intermediate
Elementary · Grades 3–5
B
489 students13:1Rate it →
Indian Mound Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
534 students11:1Rate it →
McFarland High
High · Grades 9–12
B
727 students14:1Rate it →
Online schools based in McFarlandnot counted as local schools
Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (WIVA)
Elementary · Grades PK–8
C
CharterOnline
1,393 students22:1Rate it →
Wisconsin Virtual Academy High (WIVA)
High · Grades 9–12
D
CharterOnline
1,566 students22:1Rate it →
Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High
High · Grades 9–12
C−
CharterOnlineCareer and Technical
423 studentsRate it →
Insight School of Wisconsin High
High · Grades 9–12
C−
CharterOnlineAlternative Education
202 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about McFarland’s schools

Are McFarland’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools McFarland children attend score below 90% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #350 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is McFarland in?

McFarland School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,921 students in 9 schools (2024–25).

Where do McFarland kids go to high school?

McFarland High, with 727 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is McFarland’s graduation rate?

78% of the class of 2023 in McFarland School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.

How much does McFarland spend per student?

$13,217 in McFarland School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What McFarland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near McFarland → 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.