Bethesda Elementary

Summary:

Bethesda Elementary is a public elementary school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, serving 436 students in grades PK-5. It is part of the Waukesha School District, which is ranked 198 out of 428 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bethesda Elementary has shown a mixed performance on the Forward Exam, with some grades and subjects performing above the district and state averages, while others are below. For example, the school's 5th-grade students outperformed the district and state in both English Language Arts (61.19% proficient or better) and Mathematics (70.59% proficient or better) in the 2023-2024 school year. However, the school's 3rd-grade students underperformed the district and state in both subjects. Bethesda's 4th-grade students also lagged behind the district and state in Science (45.71% proficient or better). Additionally, the school has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 4.2% in 2018-2019 to 15.7% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the state average of 13.6%.

Bethesda Elementary serves a relatively high proportion of students from low-income backgrounds, with 38.07% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in 2022-2023, which is higher than the district average of 33.8% and the state average of 41.6%. When compared to nearby schools, Waukesha STEM Academy consistently outperforms Bethesda Elementary and the district on the Forward Exam, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics, while White Rock School and Meadowbrook Elementary also demonstrate stronger student performance, especially in the upper elementary grades.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 730 S University Dr
       Waukesha, WI  53188-4599


(262) 970-1305

District: Waukesha School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
535th of 1,061 Wisconsin Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,577 Help


Students who attend Bethesda Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Butler Middle
High:    West High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.1 Help
Number of students:  436

Racial breakdown:

White:
54.4%
Hispanic:
37.4%
African American:
4.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  38.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bethesda Elementary ranks worse than 50.4% of elementary schools in Wisconsin. It also ranks 9th among 14 ranked elementary schools in the Waukesha School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 57.16. (See more...)
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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (54.4%), Hispanic (37.4%), African American (4.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 38.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bethesda Elementary is 14.1. 8 elementary schools in the Waukesha School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Bethesda Elementary employs 30.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bethesda Elementary is $10,577. 10 elementary schools in the Waukesha School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Bethesda Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Bethesda Elementary 535th of 1061 Wisconsin public elementary schools. (See Bethesda Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Waukesha School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waukesha School District 198th of 428 Wisconsin school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Bethesda Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 60.56 308th 633 51.3%
2005 64.87 276th 632 56.3%
2006 73.39 187th 712 73.7%
2007 78.37 104th 689 84.9%
2008 71.84 252nd 1021 75.3%
2009 80.27 87th 1030 91.6%
2010 80.97 80th 1045 92.3%
2011 79.57 101st 1046 90.3%
2012 78.37 100th 1045 90.4%
2013 76.89 155th 1053 85.3%
2014 68.53 283rd 1061 73.3%
2015 67.20 333rd 1076 69.1%
2016 69.44 302nd 1075 71.9%
2017 54.34 519th 1071 51.5%
2018 49.85 574th 1025 44.0%
2019 56.28 486th 1037 53.1%
2021 67.67 319th 1050 69.6%
2022 68.87 305th 1067 71.4%
2023 66.21 357th 1067 66.5%
2024 57.16 535th 1061 49.6%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.64 167th 287 41.8%
2019 30.32 213th 275 22.5%
2021 59.80 59th 222 73.4%
2022 44.94 121st 248 51.2%
2023 56.81 73rd 249 70.7%
2024 45.51 134th 269 50.2%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.88 540th 721 25.1%
2019 33.23 507th 742 31.7%
2021 56.71 255th 746 65.8%
2022 57.51 245th 748 67.2%
2023 40.62 448th 770 41.8%
2024 58.51 274th 790 65.3%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.81 635th 854 25.6%
2019 27.50 713th 874 18.4%
2021 52.31 373rd 847 56.0%
2022 65.18 232nd 859 73.0%
2023 53.61 382nd 871 56.1%
2024 31.39 657th 866 24.1%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.39 546th 997 45.2%
2019 51.99 538th 1002 46.3%
2021 62.34 377th 1004 62.5%
2022 71.21 254th 1017 75.0%
2023 70.04 281st 1010 72.2%
2024 48.02 621st 1011 38.6%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.61 563rd 997 43.5%
2019 61.53 384th 1002 61.7%
2021 70.36 244th 1003 75.7%
2022 64.23 342nd 1017 66.4%
2023 60.77 419th 1011 58.6%
2024 64.30 377th 1012 62.7%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 60.14 78th 274 71.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Bethesda Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.92 304th 686 55.7%
2019 64.57 232nd 718 67.7%
2021 83.81 69th 699 90.1%
2022 80.68 89th 704 87.4%
2023 71.45 166th 715 76.8%
2024 63.23 257th 727 64.6%
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.

Bethesda Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Bethesda Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 602 1 4 13 5 n/a n/a 0 625
1989 628 1 5 13 3 n/a n/a 0 650
1990 625 0 6 13 4 n/a n/a 0 648
1991 643 2 6 8 3 n/a n/a 0 662
1992 636 4 9 6 0 n/a n/a 0 655
1993 532 9 7 10 5 n/a n/a 0 563
1994 506 4 9 11 8 n/a n/a 0 538
1995 504 2 4 9 0 n/a n/a 0 519
1996 504 2 4 9 0 n/a n/a 0 519
1997 487 0 10 9 0 n/a n/a 0 506
1998 470 1 9 13 0 n/a n/a 0 493
1999 464 1 12 9 1 n/a n/a 0 487
2000 441 5 17 12 1 n/a n/a 0 476
2001 440 5 15 17 1 n/a n/a 0 478
2002 461 7 14 24 3 n/a n/a 0 509
2003 461 7 14 24 3 n/a n/a 0 509
2004 447 7 16 22 3 n/a n/a 0 495
2005 501 9 17 27 3 n/a n/a 0 557
2006 481 11 18 27 3 n/a n/a 0 540
2007 480 11 24 25 3 n/a n/a 0 543
2008 463 16 21 23 0 n/a n/a 0 523
2009 473 19 27 22 2 n/a n/a 0 543
2010 448 25 28 32 1 n/a n/a 0 534
2011 342 21 21 42 0 1 3 0 430
2012 350 19 18 51 0 1 7 0 446
2013 338 24 10 71 0 2 12 0 457
2014 295 20 9 88 0 1 11 0 424
2015 303 28 5 96 1 2 2 0 437
2016 297 25 2 112 1 1 10 0 448
2017 302 20 5 149 1 0 5 0 482
2018 320 13 6 171 0 0 9 0 519
2019 304 18 11 155 0 0 7 0 495
2020 296 8 14 158 0 0 16 0 492
2021 272 9 9 153 0 0 14 0 457
2022 259 18 7 147 0 0 11 0 442
2023 237 18 7 163 0 0 11 0 436

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 Bethesda Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 625 35.1 17.8 0
1989 650 35.3 18.4 0
1990 648 32.7 19.8 0
1991 662 40.5 16.3 0
1992 655 37.8 17.3 n/a
1993 563 30.4 18.5 0
1994 538 27.1 19.9 0
1995 519 29.8 17.4 8.7
1996 519 29.8 17.4 8.7
1997 506 30.0 16.9 8.7
1998 493 29.8 16.5 8.5
1999 487 28.3 17.2 12.7
2000 476 28.0 17.0 11.8
2001 478 30.7 15.6 13.2
2002 509 34.4 14.8 6.1
2003 509 34.4 14.8 6.1
2004 495 31.5 15.7 7.1
2005 557 34.3 16.2 n/a
2006 540 34.8 15.5 n/a
2007 543 31.5 17.2 11.4
2008 523 27.0 19.4 9.4
2009 543 30.0 18.1 11.4
2010 534 26.2 20.3 12.7
2011 430 21.5 19.9 17.4
2012 446 21.1 21.0 17.5
2013 457 21.2 21.5 29.8
2014 424 22.4 18.9 33.5
2015 437 n/a n/a 34.1
2016 448 30.0 14.9 35.5
2017 482 30.4 15.8 33.4
2018 519 34.4 15.0 30.3
2019 495 32.4 15.2 33.9
2020 492 32.7 15.0 34.8
2021 457 32.9 13.8 37.9
2022 442 31.7 13.9 35.5
2023 436 30.9 14.1 38.1

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 Bethesda Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 625 35.1 17.8 0
1989 650 35.3 18.4 0
1990 648 32.7 19.8 0
1991 662 40.5 16.3 0
1992 655 37.8 17.3 n/a
1993 563 30.4 18.5 0
1994 538 27.1 19.9 0
1995 519 29.8 17.4 8.7
1996 519 29.8 17.4 8.7
1997 506 30.0 16.9 8.7
1998 493 29.8 16.5 8.5
1999 487 28.3 17.2 12.7
2000 476 28.0 17.0 11.8
2001 478 30.7 15.6 13.2
2002 509 34.4 14.8 6.1
2003 509 34.4 14.8 6.1
2004 495 31.5 15.7 7.1
2005 557 34.3 16.2 n/a
2006 540 34.8 15.5 n/a
2007 543 31.5 17.2 11.4
2008 523 27.0 19.4 9.4
2009 543 30.0 18.1 11.4
2010 534 26.2 20.3 12.7
2011 430 21.5 19.9 17.4
2012 446 21.1 21.0 17.5
2013 457 21.2 21.5 29.8
2014 424 22.4 18.9 33.5
2015 437 n/a n/a 34.1
2016 448 30.0 14.9 35.5
2017 482 30.4 15.8 33.4
2018 519 34.4 15.0 30.3
2019 495 32.4 15.2 33.9
2020 492 32.7 15.0 34.8
2021 457 32.9 13.8 37.9
2022 442 31.7 13.9 35.5
2023 436 30.9 14.1 38.1

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 Bethesda Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $401 (3.7%) $10,435 (96.3%) $10,835
2020 $339 (3.3%) $10,072 (96.7%) $10,411
2021 $386 (3.6%) $10,191 (96.4%) $10,577

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Bethesda Elementary

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 486th of 1037 Elementary schoolsRanks 357th of 1067 Elementary schools
 13.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bethesda Elementary)39.738.6
 1.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waukesha School District)41.240.9
 0.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)39.537.9
 1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bethesda Elementary)58.857.1
 1.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Waukesha School District)53.555
 1.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)50.548.8
 1.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bethesda Elementary)4852.9
 4.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Waukesha School District)45.649.4
 3.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)43.945.8
 1.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bethesda Elementary)5262
 10%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Waukesha School District)50.153.3
 3.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)46.246.5
 0.2%
4th Grade Social Studies (Bethesda Elementary)53.359.2
 5.8%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Waukesha School District)52.163.4
 11.4%
   4th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)53.459.7
 6.4%
4th Grade Science (Bethesda Elementary)54.753.5
 1.1%
   4th Grade Science (Waukesha School District)52.954.2
 1.2%
   4th Grade Science (Wisconsin)53.952.1
 1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bethesda Elementary)42.354.2
 12%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Waukesha School District)4446.3
 2.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)40.939.2
 1.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bethesda Elementary)50.764.4
 13.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Waukesha School District)55.552.6
 3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)47.848.4
 0.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students495436
 11.9%
African American1818
American Indian00
Asian117
 36.4%
Hispanic155163
 5.2%
Pacific Islander00
White304237
 22%
Two or More Races711
 57.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients33.9%38.1%
 4.1%


Schools Near Bethesda Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Bethesda Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 436 students attended Bethesda Elementary.

Students who attend Bethesda Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Butler Middle
High : West High

Bethesda Elementary ranks 535th of 1061 Wisconsin elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Bethesda Elementary are 54% White, 37% Hispanic, 4% African American, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.


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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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