Ottawa’s public schools outscore 89% of Wisconsin districts
On the state reading tests, 59% of Ottawa’s students scored proficient, above the Wisconsin average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ottawa, 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 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.
Ottawa’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 123 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ottawa’s, its schools beat 81%, lower than their 89% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 59% and math 59% in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,101 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 Kettle Moraine Middle, then Kettle Moraine High. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lad Lake-Lakewood & Passage Schools (private) and Lad Lake-Lakewood & Passage School (private) are 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 Ottawa’s grade
A: better than 89% of Wisconsin school districts, #32 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 Ottawa, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Ottawa
Kettle Moraine Middle
Grades 6–8 · 726 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dousman
7th grade in Ottawa
Kettle Moraine Middle
Grades 6–8 · 726 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dousman
8th grade in Ottawa
Kettle Moraine Middle
Grades 6–8 · 726 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Dousman
9th grade in Ottawa
Kettle Moraine High
Grades 9–12 · 869 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Wales
10th grade in Ottawa
Kettle Moraine High
Grades 9–12 · 869 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Wales
Ottawa’s public schools are run by Kettle Moraine School District, which also serves Delafield, Delafield, Dousman and Genesee and others. Parts of Ottawa (5% and 3% of its land) are served by Mukwonago and Palmyra-Eagle Area 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
Ottawa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Ottawa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | A | Kettle Moraine |
| Dousman | A | Kettle Moraine |
| North Prairie | A | Mukwonago |
| Sullivan | C+ | Jefferson PK–12 · Palmyra-Eagle Area PK–12 |
| Genesee | B | Kettle Moraine PK–12 · Waukesha PK–12 |
| Summit | A | Oconomowoc Area PK–12 · Kettle Moraine PK–12 |
| Eagle | A | Palmyra-Eagle Area PK–12 · Mukwonago PK–12 |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Kettle Moraine with Ottawa, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Ottawa
8 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 Ottawa’s schools
Are Ottawa’s schools good?
By Wisconsin’s own tests, yes: the public schools Ottawa children attend outscore 89% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #32 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ottawa in?
Kettle Moraine School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,361 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Ottawa are served by Mukwonago and Palmyra-Eagle Area.
Where do Ottawa kids go to high school?
Kettle Moraine High in Wales, with 869 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Ottawa’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Kettle Moraine School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Ottawa spend per student?
$15,101 in Kettle Moraine School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ottawa?
Yes: Lad Lake-Lakewood & Passage Schools (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 3–12, 57 students) and Lad Lake-Lakewood & Passage School (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 4–12, 44 students).
Parents talk
What Ottawa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ottawa → 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.