Photo: I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license: · CC BY-SA 3.0Watertown’s public schools score below 63% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Watertown, 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 94% 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.
Watertown’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1077 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Watertown’s, its schools beat 26%, lower than their 37% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,044 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Riverside Middle, then Watertown High. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Watertown’s grade
C+: better than 37% of Wisconsin school districts. 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 Watertown, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Watertown · depends on your address
Webster Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 381 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Watertown 4 Kids
Grades PK · 155 students · 19:1 students per teacher
LEAP Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 60 students · 19:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Watertown
Riverside Middle
Grades 6–8 · 616 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Watertown
Riverside Middle
Grades 6–8 · 616 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Watertown
Riverside Middle
Grades 6–8 · 616 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Watertown
Watertown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Watertown
Watertown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Watertown
Watertown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Watertown
Watertown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,012 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Watertown’s public schools are run by Watertown School District, which also serves Concord, Emmet, Ixonia and Lebanon and others. Parts of Watertown (18% and 3% of its land) are served by Johnson Creek and Lake Mills 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.
Below the state in reading
Watertown vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Watertown’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Watertown | C+ | Watertown |
| Milford | B+ | Lake Mills Area |
| Farmington | C+ | Johnson Creek PK–12 · Jefferson PK–12 |
| Ixonia | A− | Oconomowoc Area PK–12 · Watertown PK–12 |
| Shields | — | Watertown |
| Emmet | C+ | Watertown |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Watertown with Watertown, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Watertown
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 Watertown’s schools
Are Watertown’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Watertown children attend score below 63% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Watertown in?
Watertown School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,076 students in 10 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Watertown are served by Johnson Creek and Lake Mills Area.
Where do Watertown kids go to high school?
Watertown High, with 1,012 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Watertown’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Watertown School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Watertown spend per student?
$16,044 in Watertown School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Watertown families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watertown → 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.