Wisconsin Connections Academy

Summary:

Wisconsin Connections Academy is a public charter virtual school serving grades PK-12 in Appleton, Wisconsin, which is part of the Appleton Area School District. With a focus on providing a flexible, online learning environment, this school has demonstrated strong academic outcomes, particularly in its high graduation rates and low dropout rates.

One of the school's key strengths is its exceptional attendance, with a 0% chronic absenteeism rate over the past five years. This suggests that the virtual learning model is effectively engaging students and keeping them actively involved in their education. Additionally, Wisconsin Connections Academy has shown consistently high four-year graduation rates, ranging from 74.6% in 2019-2020 to 90.2% in 2022-2023, significantly outperforming the district and state averages. The school's dropout rates have also remained low, ranging from 1.3% to 3.4% over the past five years, which is lower than the district and state averages.

While the school's academic performance on the Forward Exam varies across grade levels and subject areas, it generally outperforms the Appleton Area School District and the state of Wisconsin in many areas, particularly in social studies and science. However, the school serves a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 42.98% to 49.04% over the past three years, compared to the district and state averages. This suggests that Wisconsin Connections Academy is serving a more economically disadvantaged population, which may present unique challenges and opportunities for the school to address the needs of its diverse student body.


Detail:

Public, Charter, Virtual, Alternative PK, KG-12

 350 W Capitol Dr
       Appleton, WI  54911


(920) 852-5415

District: Appleton Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
656th of 1,061 Wisconsin Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,019 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  33.3 Help
Number of students:  718

Racial breakdown:

White:
67.8%
Hispanic:
11.8%
African American:
7.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  44.8% Help


 See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

 Compare Wisconsin Connections Academy to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Wisconsin Connections Academy ranks worse than 61.8% of elementary schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 46.89. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details Wisconsin Connections Academy ranks worse than 60.7% of middle schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 46.86. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details Wisconsin Connections Academy is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2015 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76. (See more...)
Help
The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Wisconsin Connections Academy freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Wisconsin Connections Academy has the largest alternative school student body size in the Appleton Area School District. Racial makeup is: White (67.8%), Hispanic (11.8%), African American (7.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 44.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Appleton Area School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Wisconsin Connections Academy is 33.3, which is the lowest among 3 alternative schools in the Appleton Area School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Wisconsin Connections Academy employs 21.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wisconsin Connections Academy is $16,019, which is the highest among 3 alternative schools in the Appleton Area School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Wisconsin Connections Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Wisconsin Connections Academy 656th of 1061 Wisconsin public elementary schools. (See Wisconsin Connections Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Wisconsin Connections Academy 389th of 641 Wisconsin public middle schools. (See Wisconsin Connections Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Appleton Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Appleton Area School District 240th of 428 Wisconsin school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Wisconsin Connections Academy?

Rank History for Wisconsin Connections Academy

Help
Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2013 49.48 617th 1053 41.4%
2014 56.43 505th 1061 52.4%
2015 58.09 517th 1076 52.0%
2016 63.39 380th 1075 64.7%
2017 57.21 473rd 1071 55.8%
2018 53.60 520th 1025 49.3%
2019 42.59 678th 1037 34.6%
2021 69.07 298th 1050 71.6%
2022 56.32 498th 1067 53.3%
2023 49.57 609th 1067 42.9%
2024 46.89 656th 1061 38.2%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Multi-racial students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 53.57 34th 85 60.0%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.47 169th 854 80.2%
2019 44.05 511th 874 41.5%
2021 52.96 362nd 847 57.3%
2022 61.93 278th 859 67.6%
2023 61.59 274th 871 68.5%
2024 46.02 503rd 866 41.9%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.54 694th 997 30.4%
2019 34.21 736th 1002 26.5%
2021 62.36 375th 1004 62.6%
2022 64.16 354th 1017 65.2%
2023 61.11 413th 1010 59.1%
2024 61.10 433rd 1011 57.2%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.94 374th 997 62.5%
2019 51.59 520th 1002 48.1%
2021 75.63 186th 1003 81.5%
2022 47.46 608th 1017 40.2%
2023 32.56 747th 1011 26.1%
2024 32.69 750th 1012 25.9%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 50.20 110th 274 59.9%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.24 557th 686 18.8%
2019 20.12 630th 718 12.3%
2021 63.49 231st 699 67.0%
2022 46.77 409th 704 41.9%
2023 37.90 497th 715 30.5%
2024 38.84 491st 727 32.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Wisconsin Connections Academy

Help
Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2013 82.62 45th 569 92.1%
2014 61.63 230th 585 60.7%
2015 69.08 146th 612 76.1%
2016 69.05 140th 609 77.0%
2017 60.23 219th 612 64.2%
2018 62.38 211th 579 63.6%
2019 61.72 218th 594 63.3%
2021 75.87 96th 613 84.3%
2022 56.07 264th 617 57.2%
2023 46.96 352nd 640 45.0%
2024 46.86 389th 641 39.3%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Multi-racial students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 56.43 49th 129 62.0%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.45 159th 489 67.5%
2019 50.06 228th 487 53.2%
2021 67.11 102nd 499 79.6%
2022 66.55 112th 522 78.5%
2023 58.51 171st 525 67.4%
2024 44.54 288th 520 44.6%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.04 224th 551 59.3%
2019 58.43 245th 557 56.0%
2021 78.23 80th 574 86.1%
2022 50.68 293rd 576 49.1%
2023 47.32 321st 579 44.6%
2024 50.59 323rd 580 44.3%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.25 177th 551 67.9%
2019 60.74 204th 557 63.4%
2021 70.63 135th 572 76.4%
2022 60.66 203rd 577 64.8%
2023 47.55 320th 591 45.9%
2024 49.17 336th 585 42.6%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 85.57 24th 229 89.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.61 210th 375 44.0%
2019 58.70 142nd 382 62.8%
2021 71.38 79th 393 79.9%
2022 48.95 205th 397 48.4%
2023 28.40 314th 412 23.8%
2024 28.41 313th 407 23.1%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Wisconsin Connections Academy

Help
Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2013 49.03 293rd 457 35.9%
2014 58.73 208th 462 55.0%
2015 76.00 56th 466 88.0%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Wisconsin Connections Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Open Quote Connections academy is great. We homeschooled for 10 years. It is so nice to have teachers back you as a learning coach. I no longer need to define lessons plans and try to be one step a head of my kids. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Wisconsin Connections Academy

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2012 546 32 9 25 5 0 0 0 617
2013 637 33 17 32 15 0 0 0 734
2014 678 21 11 32 7 0 0 0 749
2015 557 29 17 48 8 1 0 0 660
2016 506 31 15 40 4 0 20 0 616
2017 442 40 18 30 7 0 31 0 568
2018 439 24 20 35 4 0 26 0 548
2019 425 26 16 53 3 0 34 0 557
2020 395 30 13 54 2 0 29 0 523
2021 905 66 58 96 3 1 104 0 1233
2022 490 55 48 69 10 1 53 0 726
2023 487 51 41 85 10 0 44 0 718

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Wisconsin Connections Academy

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2012 617 14.8 41.6 26.3
2013 734 19.4 37.8 29.7
2014 749 19.6 38.2 26.8
2015 660 n/a n/a 28.2
2016 616 18.0 34.2 28.6
2017 568 17.0 33.4 31.7
2018 548 18.0 30.4 27.7
2019 557 17.0 32.6 40.4
2020 523 17.0 30.7 38
2021 1233 20.8 59.0 43
2022 726 21.4 33.9 49
2023 718 21.5 33.3 44.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Wisconsin Connections Academy

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2012 617 14.8 41.6 26.3
2013 734 19.4 37.8 29.7
2014 749 19.6 38.2 26.8
2015 660 n/a n/a 28.2
2016 616 18.0 34.2 28.6
2017 568 17.0 33.4 31.7
2018 548 18.0 30.4 27.7
2019 557 17.0 32.6 40.4
2020 523 17.0 30.7 38
2021 1233 20.8 59.0 43
2022 726 21.4 33.9 49
2023 718 21.5 33.3 44.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Wisconsin Connections Academy

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $189 (1.9%) $9,714 (98.1%) $9,904
2020 $422 (2.5%) $16,589 (97.5%) $17,011
2021 $911 (5.7%) $15,108 (94.3%) $16,019

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Wisconsin Connections Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 678th of 1037 Elementary schoolsRanks 609th of 1067 Elementary schools
 8.3%
Ranks 218th of 594 Middle schoolsRanks 352nd of 640 Middle schools
 18.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin Connections Academy)8.348.2
 39.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Appleton Area School District)30.137.9
 7.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)39.537.9
 1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin Connections Academy)58.355.6
 2.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Appleton Area School District)44.147.8
 3.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)50.548.8
 1.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin Connections Academy)22.750
 27.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Appleton Area School District)39.545.1
 5.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)43.945.8
 1.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin Connections Academy)31.855
 23.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Appleton Area School District)39.144.2
 5.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)46.246.5
 0.2%
4th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin Connections Academy)5065
 15%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Appleton Area School District)50.759.9
 9.2%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)53.459.7
 6.4%
4th Grade Science (Wisconsin Connections Academy)54.655
 0.5%
   4th Grade Science (Appleton Area School District)51.651.6
 0%
   4th Grade Science (Wisconsin)53.952.1
 1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin Connections Academy)34.617.4
 17.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Appleton Area School District)36.938.9
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)40.939.2
 1.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin Connections Academy)42.343.5
 1.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Appleton Area School District)42.550.5
 7.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)47.848.4
 0.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin Connections Academy)52.925
 27.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Appleton Area School District)43.247.1
 4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)41.740.6
 1.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin Connections Academy)58.828.6
 30.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Appleton Area School District)49.850.3
 0.5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)43.542.6
 0.9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin Connections Academy)54.639.6
 14.9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Appleton Area School District)41.841.5
 0.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)45.541.1
 4.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin Connections Academy)57.630.2
 27.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Appleton Area School District)42.337
 5.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)39.735.7
 4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin Connections Academy)32.636.5
 3.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Appleton Area School District)34.535.2
 0.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)37.337.8
 0.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin Connections Academy)32.621.2
 11.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Appleton Area School District)35.530
 5.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)36.531.8
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin Connections Academy)58.767.3
 8.6%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Appleton Area School District)51.656.1
 4.5%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)52.159.2
 7.1%
8th Grade Science (Wisconsin Connections Academy)58.751.9
 6.8%
   8th Grade Science (Appleton Area School District)5747.2
 9.8%
   8th Grade Science (Wisconsin)54.649.4
 5.3%
10th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin Connections Academy)41.563.8
 22.3%
   10th Grade Social Studies (Appleton Area School District)4145.8
 4.8%
   10th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)45.947.2
 1.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students557718
 28.9%
African American2651
 96.2%
American Indian310
 233.3%
Asian1641
 156.3%
Hispanic5385
 60.4%
Pacific Islander00
White425487
 14.6%
Two or More Races3444
 29.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients40.4%44.8%
 4.5%


Schools Near Wisconsin Connections Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Wisconsin Connections Academy

Students at Wisconsin Connections Academy are 68% White, 12% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races, 6% Asian, 1% American Indian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 718 students attended Wisconsin Connections Academy.

Wisconsin Connections Academy ranks 656th of 1061 Wisconsin alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


Rate Wisconsin Connections Academy!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Wisconsin Connections Academy!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 39 milliseconds.