Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District in Wisconsin operates 11 schools, including 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and 1 public charter high school. The district as a whole is a high-performing system, ranking 54th out of 428 districts in the state and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Several schools within the district stand out as exceptional performers. Middleton High School is ranked 14th out of 431 Wisconsin high schools, with a 5-star rating, a 98.6% 4-year graduation rate, and strong academic achievement. The district's elementary schools also excel, with Pope Farm Elementary, Northside Elementary, and Sunset Ridge Elementary all ranking among the top 40 elementary schools in the state.

While the district overall performs at a high level, there is some variation in outcomes across schools. The public charter high school, Clark Street Community School, has lower graduation rates, higher dropout rates, and lower test scores compared to the traditional high school, Middleton High. Additionally, a few elementary schools, such as Sauk Trail Elementary, show higher rates of chronic absenteeism and economic disadvantage. The district's investment of $12,000 to $18,000 per student likely contributes to the overall strong performance, but targeted support may be needed for schools serving more at-risk populations.