Of the state’s 50 largest school districts, the Watertown Unified School District ranked 48th, ahead only of Racine and Milwaukee, according to a recent report by the MacIver Institute. However, some education researchers said the report doesn’t tell the whole story.
The report took the 50 largest school districts in Wisconsin and compared them based on factors such as performance on the Wisconsin Concepts Knowledge Examination (WKCE), ACT test scores and participation, Advanced Placement scores and participation, graduation rate, students eligible for free or reduced price lunch and students enrolled in English Language Learners programs.
The top five districts were Elmbrook, Marshfield Unified, New Berlin, Verona Area and Middleton-Cross Plains Area. The bottom five were Kaukauna Area, Superior, Watertown Unified, Racine Unified and Milwaukee.
The report ranked Watertown 41st in student achievement, 46th in student attainment and 24th in student population affect on performance, for an overall grade of D- and rank of 48.