Highland Community School

Summary:

Highland Community School is a public charter elementary school serving 420 students in grades PK-8 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is part of the Milwaukee School District. While the district is ranked 417 out of 428 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating, Highland Community School has consistently ranked in the top 60% of Wisconsin elementary schools over the past decade, currently holding a 2-star rating.

Highland Community School outperforms the Milwaukee School District and the state of Wisconsin in academic proficiency across most grade levels and subjects, particularly for certain student subgroups like African American and White students. However, the school struggles with proficiency in Mathematics, especially in the upper grades. Additionally, while the school has maintained a 0% dropout rate, it has seen a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 6.5% in 2019-2020 to 15.3% in 2022-2023, though still lower than the district average of 52.7% at the nearby Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language. The school serves a relatively higher-income population compared to other schools in the district, with 39.05% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

While Highland Community School outperforms the Milwaukee School District and the state in many areas, it lags behind some of the nearby charter schools, such as Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- Lloyd Street and Milwaukee College Preparatory School: Lola Rowe North Campus, which have higher academic proficiency rates and better student-teacher ratios. The nearby traditional public schools, such as Siefert Elementary and Starms Discovery, struggle even more than Highland Community School, with lower proficiency rates and higher chronic absenteeism.


Detail:

Public, Charter PK, KG-8

 1706 W Highland Ave
       Milwaukee, WI  53233-1198


(414) 342-1412

District: Milwaukee School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
601st of 1,061 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,667 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  15.0 Help
Number of students:  420

Racial breakdown:

White:
40.0%
African American:
36.7%
Hispanic:
12.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Highland Community School ranks worse than 56.6% of elementary schools in Wisconsin. It also ranks 6th among 106 ranked elementary schools in the Milwaukee School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 52.47. (See more...)
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Compare Details Highland Community School ranks better than 58.5% of middle schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 59.98. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a 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
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Compare Details Student population at Highland Community School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (40%), African American (36.7%), Hispanic (12.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 39% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highland Community School is 15, which is the 42nd best among 106 elementary schools in the Milwaukee School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highland Community School employs 28 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highland Community School is $14,667. 75 elementary schools in the Milwaukee School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highland Community School:

SchoolDigger ranks Highland Community School 601st of 1061 Wisconsin public elementary schools. (See Highland Community School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Highland Community School 266th of 641 Wisconsin public middle schools. (See Highland Community School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:


Milwaukee School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Milwaukee School District 417th of 428 Wisconsin school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Highland Community School?

Rank History for Highland Community School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 50.17 633rd 1030 38.5%
2010 52.83 628th 1045 39.9%
2011 56.14 562nd 1046 46.3%
2012 43.74 767th 1045 26.6%
2013 13.95 949th 1053 9.9%
2014 36.94 810th 1061 23.7%
2015 29.34 872nd 1076 19.0%
2016 22.34 892nd 1075 17.0%
2017 22.89 885th 1071 17.4%
2018 23.09 849th 1025 17.2%
2019 27.70 820th 1037 20.9%
2021 43.14 671st 1050 36.1%
2022 39.31 735th 1067 31.1%
2023 46.40 645th 1067 39.6%
2024 52.47 601st 1061 43.4%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.93 526th 721 27.0%
2019 33.89 500th 742 32.6%
2021 64.75 182nd 746 75.6%
2022 68.44 155th 748 79.3%
2023 69.84 162nd 770 79.0%
2024 67.84 197th 790 75.1%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.60 809th 854 5.3%
2019 18.52 798th 874 8.7%
2021 26.69 683rd 847 19.4%
2022 32.47 640th 859 25.5%
2023 30.65 678th 871 22.2%
2024 47.91 477th 866 44.9%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.89 754th 997 24.4%
2019 30.79 762nd 1002 24.0%
2021 38.45 675th 1004 32.8%
2022 31.97 759th 1017 25.4%
2023 34.38 738th 1010 26.9%
2024 60.26 448th 1011 55.7%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.72 856th 997 14.1%
2019 27.30 805th 1002 19.7%
2021 50.79 555th 1003 44.7%
2022 49.52 566th 1017 44.3%
2023 61.78 404th 1011 60.0%
2024 43.26 649th 1012 35.9%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.10 43rd 165 73.9%
2019 50.11 62nd 161 61.5%
2021 43.88 63rd 141 55.3%
2022 52.50 43rd 133 67.7%
2023 56.69 39th 138 71.7%
2024 66.51 29th 137 78.8%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.69 391st 686 43.0%
2019 52.35 351st 718 51.1%
2021 65.77 208th 699 70.2%
2022 67.94 188th 704 73.3%
2023 72.27 158th 715 77.9%
2024 80.93 91st 727 87.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Highland Community School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2014 31.51 479th 585 18.1%
2015 37.98 447th 612 27.0%
2016 41.49 400th 609 34.3%
2017 34.72 434th 612 29.1%
2018 40.11 391st 579 32.5%
2019 42.14 386th 594 35.0%
2021 36.65 430th 613 29.9%
2022 42.86 380th 617 38.4%
2023 58.67 246th 640 61.6%
2024 59.98 266th 641 58.5%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Multi-racial students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 45.62 66th 126 47.6%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 39.01 277th 437 36.6%
2022 38.70 254th 421 39.7%
2023 56.90 135th 439 69.2%
2024 83.59 31st 425 92.7%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.88 283rd 489 42.1%
2019 41.38 306th 487 37.2%
2021 22.27 437th 499 12.4%
2022 40.91 326th 522 37.5%
2023 42.02 309th 525 41.1%
2024 57.95 197th 520 62.1%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.68 290th 551 47.4%
2019 50.81 303rd 557 45.6%
2021 38.89 392nd 574 31.7%
2022 41.39 372nd 576 35.4%
2023 54.89 255th 579 56.0%
2024 48.88 330th 580 43.1%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.85 436th 551 20.9%
2019 35.22 406th 557 27.1%
2021 36.20 399th 572 30.2%
2022 45.99 326th 577 43.5%
2023 61.10 208th 591 64.8%
2024 70.36 157th 585 73.2%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.00 58th 123 52.8%
2019 63.75 28th 127 78.0%
2021 53.19 44th 134 67.2%
2022 56.30 38th 125 69.6%
2023 44.42 59th 130 54.6%
2024 53.61 44th 118 62.7%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Highland Community School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.30 108th 375 71.2%
2021 68.73 91st 393 76.8%
2022 66.10 102nd 397 74.3%
2023 79.35 61st 412 85.2%
2024 81.37 45th 407 88.9%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Highland Community School 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: 4)
0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Highland Community School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2000 19 43 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 65
2001 22 67 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 92
2002 21 70 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 95
2003 21 70 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 95
2004 30 66 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 98
2005 25 76 1 4 2 n/a n/a 0 108
2006 30 72 2 4 1 n/a n/a 0 109
2007 34 81 3 3 2 n/a n/a 0 123
2008 37 82 2 7 1 n/a n/a 0 129
2009 50 87 0 8 2 n/a n/a 0 147
2010 57 90 0 11 2 n/a n/a 0 160
2011 67 95 1 12 3 0 4 0 182
2012 70 98 0 22 0 0 16 0 206
2013 88 126 0 21 0 0 19 0 254
2014 97 150 2 26 0 0 28 0 303
2015 113 168 0 32 1 0 33 0 347
2016 139 155 2 40 2 0 37 0 375
2017 143 155 4 45 3 0 40 0 390
2018 159 149 4 50 4 0 43 0 409
2019 166 156 6 45 3 0 39 0 415
2020 160 165 6 41 1 0 43 0 416
2021 167 156 6 49 0 0 48 0 426
2022 157 165 7 48 0 0 45 0 422
2023 168 154 3 53 0 0 42 0 420

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 Highland Community School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 65 n/a 0.0 72.3
2001 92 4.0 23.0 68.5
2002 95 n/a n/a 28.4
2003 95 n/a n/a 28.4
2004 98 n/a n/a n/a
2005 108 n/a n/a n/a
2006 109 n/a n/a n/a
2007 123 n/a n/a 52
2008 129 n/a n/a 48.1
2009 147 1.0 147.0 41.5
2010 160 n/a n/a 39.4
2011 182 n/a n/a 41.8
2012 206 7.0 29.4 45.1
2013 254 2.0 127.0 46.5
2014 303 n/a n/a 47.5
2015 347 n/a n/a 50.4
2016 375 10.0 37.5 40.5
2017 390 2.0 195.0 44.1
2018 409 15.0 27.2 40.8
2019 415 21.0 19.7 36.4
2020 416 27.0 15.4 44
2021 426 26.0 16.3 50
2022 422 26.0 16.2 45.7
2023 420 28.0 15.0 39

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 Highland Community School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 65 n/a 0.0 72.3
2001 92 4.0 23.0 68.5
2002 95 n/a n/a 28.4
2003 95 n/a n/a 28.4
2004 98 n/a n/a n/a
2005 108 n/a n/a n/a
2006 109 n/a n/a n/a
2007 123 n/a n/a 52
2008 129 n/a n/a 48.1
2009 147 1.0 147.0 41.5
2010 160 n/a n/a 39.4
2011 182 n/a n/a 41.8
2012 206 7.0 29.4 45.1
2013 254 2.0 127.0 46.5
2014 303 n/a n/a 47.5
2015 347 n/a n/a 50.4
2016 375 10.0 37.5 40.5
2017 390 2.0 195.0 44.1
2018 409 15.0 27.2 40.8
2019 415 21.0 19.7 36.4
2020 416 27.0 15.4 44
2021 426 26.0 16.3 50
2022 422 26.0 16.2 45.7
2023 420 28.0 15.0 39

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 Highland Community School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,081 (8.1%) $12,304 (91.9%) $13,385
2020 $1,251 (9.1%) $12,512 (90.9%) $13,762
2021 $1,960 (13.4%) $12,707 (86.6%) $14,667

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland Community School

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 820th of 1037 Elementary schoolsRanks 645th of 1067 Elementary schools
 18.6%
Ranks 386th of 594 Middle schoolsRanks 246th of 640 Middle schools
 26.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highland Community School)34.345.5
 11.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee School District)16.413.2
 3.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)39.537.9
 1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highland Community School)22.927.3
 4.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Milwaukee School District)21.216.9
 4.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)50.548.8
 1.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Community School)36.851.4
 14.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee School District)18.517.5
 1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)43.945.8
 1.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highland Community School)31.618.9
 12.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Milwaukee School District)16.412.7
 3.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)46.246.5
 0.2%
4th Grade Social Studies (Highland Community School)55.359.5
 4.2%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Milwaukee School District)24.128.3
 4.2%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)53.459.7
 6.4%
4th Grade Science (Highland Community School)52.650
 2.6%
   4th Grade Science (Milwaukee School District)21.819.3
 2.5%
   4th Grade Science (Wisconsin)53.952.1
 1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Community School)20.746.3
 25.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee School District)16.514.1
 2.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)40.939.2
 1.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highland Community School)20.726.8
 6.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Milwaukee School District)18.214.9
 3.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)47.848.4
 0.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Community School)25.956.7
 30.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee School District)19.515.9
 3.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)41.740.6
 1.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Highland Community School)3.730
 26.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Milwaukee School District)14.79.9
 4.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)43.542.6
 0.9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Community School)45.543.8
 1.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee School District)24.220.7
 3.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)45.541.1
 4.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Highland Community School)36.418.8
 17.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Milwaukee School District)14.39.4
 4.9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)39.735.7
 4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Community School)52.453.3
 1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Milwaukee School District)1916.7
 2.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)37.337.8
 0.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Highland Community School)4.820
 15.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Milwaukee School District)13.16.9
 6.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)36.531.8
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Highland Community School)71.483.3
 11.9%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Milwaukee School District)25.132.1
 7%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)52.159.2
 7.1%
8th Grade Science (Highland Community School)57.160
 2.9%
   8th Grade Science (Milwaukee School District)24.822.2
 2.7%
   8th Grade Science (Wisconsin)54.649.4
 5.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students415420
 1.2%
African American156154
 1.3%
American Indian30
 100%
Asian63
 50%
Hispanic4553
 17.8%
Pacific Islander00
White166168
 1.2%
Two or More Races3942
 7.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients36.4%39%
 2.7%


Schools Near Highland Community School









Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Community School

Students at Highland Community School are 40% White, 37% African American, 13% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 420 students attended Highland Community School.

Highland Community School ranks 601st of 1061 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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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.





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