Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 3.0Waukesha’s public schools score below 54% of Wisconsin districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Waukesha, 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 92% 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.
Waukesha’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 39% and math 40% in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,495 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
La Casa de Esperanza Charter School, Waukesha STEM Academy, Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy, Waukesha Academy of Health Professions, Waukesha Catholic School (private), Mount Calvary Lutheran School (private) and Trinity Lutheran School (private) are in town. eAchieve Elementary and eAchieve Academy - Wisconsin, 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.
What’s behind Waukesha’s grade
B−: better than 46% of Wisconsin school districts, #247 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 Waukesha, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Waukesha · depends on your address
West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,167 students · 17:1 students per teacher
North High
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 16:1 students per teacher
South High
Grades 9–12 · 833 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Waukesha · depends on your address
West High
Grades 9–12 · 1,167 students · 17:1 students per teacher
North High
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 16:1 students per teacher
South High
Grades 9–12 · 833 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Waukesha’s public schools are run by Waukesha School District, which also serves Brookfield, Genesee, Pewaukee and Waukesha. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Waukesha vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Waukesha’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | B− | Waukesha |
| Pewaukee | B | Pewaukee PK–12 · Waukesha PK–12 · Arrowhead Union High 9–12 |
| Brookfield | A− | Waukesha PK–12 · Elmbrook PK–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Waukesha with Waukesha, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Waukesha
29 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Riverview School).
Questions about Waukesha’s schools
Are Waukesha’s schools good?
On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waukesha children attend score below 54% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #247 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 47%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waukesha in?
Waukesha School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,922 students in 27 schools (2024–25).
Where do Waukesha kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: West High, North High and South High.
What is Waukesha’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Waukesha School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.
How much does Waukesha spend per student?
$14,495 in Waukesha School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Waukesha?
Yes: Waukesha Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 441 students), Mount Calvary Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 215 students) and Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 160 students). Waukesha also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Waukesha families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waukesha → 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.