Onalaska’s public schools outscore 70% of Wisconsin districts
Reading proficiency in Onalaska’s districts is 46%, above the Wisconsin average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Onalaska, 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 98% 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.
Onalaska’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 46% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,640 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Holmen Middle, then Holmen High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Great River Montessori (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.
What’s behind Onalaska’s grade
B+: better than 70% of Wisconsin school districts, #139 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Wisconsin average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Onalaska, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Onalaska
Holmen Public Preschool
Grades PK · 176 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
6th grade in Onalaska
Holmen Middle
Grades 6–8 · 868 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
7th grade in Onalaska
Holmen Middle
Grades 6–8 · 868 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
8th grade in Onalaska
Holmen Middle
Grades 6–8 · 868 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
9th grade in Onalaska
Holmen High
Grades 9–12 · 1,242 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
10th grade in Onalaska
Holmen High
Grades 9–12 · 1,242 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
11th grade in Onalaska
Holmen High
Grades 9–12 · 1,242 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
12th grade in Onalaska
Holmen High
Grades 9–12 · 1,242 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Holmen
Onalaska’s public schools are run by Holmen School District, which also serves Holland and Holmen. Parts of Onalaska (3% 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.
Well above the state in reading
Onalaska vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Onalaska’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Onalaska | B+ | Holmen |
| Holmen | B+ | Holmen |
| Onalaska (city) | B+ | Onalaska |
| Holland | B+ | Holmen |
| Campbell | C | La Crosse |
| Hamilton | A− | West Salem |
| La Crosse | C | La Crosse |
| Farmington | C+ | Melrose-Mindoro |
| Medary | C | La Crosse |
2 of the 8 neighbors share Holmen with Onalaska, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. New Hartford, MN and Richmond, MN border Onalaska but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Onalaska
7 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 Onalaska’s schools
Are Onalaska’s schools good?
By Wisconsin’s own tests, yes: the public schools Onalaska children attend outscore 70% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #139 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Onalaska in?
Holmen School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,787 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Onalaska are served by Onalaska.
Where do Onalaska kids go to high school?
Holmen High in Holmen, with 1,242 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Onalaska’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Holmen School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Onalaska spend per student?
$14,640 in Holmen School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Onalaska?
Yes: Great River Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 41 students).
Parents talk
What Onalaska families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Onalaska → 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.