Best Public Schools in Racine, WI

The Racine, Wisconsin area is home to 23 schools, including 16 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 5 high schools, and 1 alternative school. These schools are primarily part of the Racine Unified School District, with the exception of a charter school, 21st Century Preparatory School, and a school operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Racine Youthful Offender Warren Young High.

Several schools stand out in the district, including Walden III High, which ranks 219th out of 431 Wisconsin high schools and has a 4-year graduation rate of 95.1%, significantly higher than the district average. Gifford School and RUSD Montessori are also high-performing elementary and middle schools, with test scores above the district and state averages. Additionally, Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary is a magnet school with strong academic performance.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in student outcomes across the district. Graduation rates range from 82.1% at Park High to 95.1% at Walden III High, and chronic absenteeism rates vary widely, from 15.3% at Gifford School to 60.8% at Horlick High. These performance gaps appear to be linked to socioeconomic factors, as schools with higher free/reduced lunch rates tend to have lower academic achievement. Addressing these inequities will be a crucial challenge for the Racine Unified School District and its community.