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B−
Schools in Trenton · Waupun School District, Beaver Dam School District

Trenton’s public schools score below 54% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the two public school districts serving Trenton, 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 99% 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
36%
▼ 2 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
39%
▲ 0 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90%
▼ 0 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.1K
▼ 8% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024 · Beaver Dam
Students per teacher
13.5
WI 13.6
Schools in town
0
2,956 students on the public path
In brief

Trenton’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1100 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Trenton’s, its schools beat 38%, lower than their 46% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 36% and math 39% across both districts in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Waupun spends $13,994 per student and Beaver Dam $15,130, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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 Trenton’s grade

B− Test scoresC− Graduation

B−: better than 46% of Wisconsin school districts. Both inputs trail the Wisconsin average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 46%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1100)Better than 38%
Towns in Dodge County (23)Better than 30%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,544 test results and a graduating class of 295 could put Trenton anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 99% of Trenton’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,548 in math, 2,540 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–56 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB− to A−
6–122 schoolsDepends on your addressC to C+

Trenton runs its own schools through grade 12 (Waupun School District). From grade PK, students attend the Beaver Dam School District, shared with Beaver Dam, Beaver Dam, Calamus and Westford. Its elementary school is in Beaver Dam. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Trenton

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

Waupun School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,869 students, up 14% since 2020–21 · 14.7 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$13,994WI $16,459 · FY2024
B−
Beaver Dam School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 2,988 students, down 10% since 2020–21 · 12.8 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$15,130WI $16,459 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Waupun School District37%
State average 38.1% · 979 students tested
Math · PK–12, Waupun School District36%
State average 38.7% · 983 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Beaver Dam School District36%
State average 38.1% · 1561 students tested
Math · PK–12, Beaver Dam School District41%
State average 38.7% · 1565 students tested

Trenton vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
TrentonB−Waupun PK–12 · Beaver Dam PK–12
Beaver DamC+Beaver Dam
Fox LakeB−Waupun PK–12 · Randolph PK–12
Chester—Waupun
Burnett—Horicon
AltoB−Waupun
WaupunB−Waupun
WestfordC+Randolph PK–12 · Beaver Dam PK–12

4 of the 7 neighbors share Waupun with Trenton for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Trenton

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).

Also serving Trentonin other towns
Prairie View Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Beaver Dam
A−
337 students12:1Rate it →
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Beaver Dam
B−
328 students10:1Rate it →
Meadow View Primary
Elementary · Grades PK–1 · Waupun
324 students16:1Rate it →
Wilson Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Beaver Dam
A−
41 students4:1Rate it →
Washington Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Beaver Dam
B−
260 students16:1Rate it →
Lincoln Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Beaver Dam
B−
201 students10:1Rate it →
Beaver Dam Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Beaver Dam
C+
633 students13:1Rate it →
Waupun Area Junior/Senior High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Waupun
C
832 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Trenton’s schools

Are Trenton’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Trenton children attend score below 54% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 38%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Trenton in?

Two districts: Waupun School District runs grades PK–12, and Beaver Dam School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Beaver Dam, Beaver Dam, Calamus and Westford.

What is Trenton’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Trenton spend per student?

$13,994 in Waupun School District and $15,130 in Beaver Dam School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Trenton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Trenton → 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.