Jefferson County Schools & Education
Jefferson County, Wisconsin
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
72/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
93.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,134
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,113
School Score
72/100
Higher = better
State avg 65/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#17
of 72 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jefferson County
School Verdict
Jefferson County is a high-performing district with a school score of 72/100 and a graduation rate of 93.3%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Jefferson County spends $8,134 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Jefferson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 11% above the Wisconsin average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Robust District Options and High Enrollment
Jefferson County features a large educational footprint with 30 schools serving 9,673 students across five districts. This includes 13 elementary schools and 7 middle schools, providing a deep pipeline for student development.
High Performance and Exceptional Graduation Rates
With a 93.3% graduation rate, Jefferson County significantly exceeds both state and national averages. The county's school score of 57.7 is bolstered by efficient spending of $8,134 per pupil, ensuring strong outcomes for every dollar.
Fort Atkinson and Watertown Lead Charge
Fort Atkinson School District is the largest with seven schools and 2,508 students, followed closely by the Jefferson School District. The county also offers specialized options, including one charter school and four 'other' level campuses.
A Predominantly Town-Based School System
Most students attend school in town settings, with 21 of the 30 schools located in urban clusters. Schools like Fort Atkinson High (960 students) offer a comprehensive high school experience, while the county average remains a manageable 322 students.
Elevate Your Living Near Top Districts
Home buyers in Jefferson County benefit from high-performing schools and a variety of town-centered communities. Research homes near Fort Atkinson or Jefferson to secure a spot in these top-tier Wisconsin districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
30
in Jefferson County
Total Enrollment
9,673
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
1
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Jefferson County
Fort Atkinson School District
Jefferson School District
Lake Mills Area School District
Waterloo School District
Johnson Creek School District
30 Public Schools in Jefferson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Atkinson High | Fort Atkinson School District | 9–12 | High | 960 |
| Riverside Middle | Watertown Unified School District | 6–8 | Middle | 693 |
| Lake Mills Elementary | Lake Mills Area School District | PK–4 | Primary | 610 |
| Jefferson High | Jefferson School District | 9–12 | High | 607 |
| Johnson Creek Public School | Johnson Creek School District | PK–12 | Other | 605 |
| Fort Atkinson Middle | Fort Atkinson School District | 6–8 | Middle | 504 |
| Lake Mills High | Lake Mills Area School District | 9–12 | High | 488 |
| Lake Mills Middle | Lake Mills Area School District | 5–8 | Middle | 410 |
| Jefferson Middle | Jefferson School District | 6–8 | Middle | 389 |
| Webster Elementary | Watertown Unified School District | PK–5 | Primary | 369 |
| East Elementary | Jefferson School District | PK–5 | Primary | 308 |
| Waterloo Elementary | Waterloo School District | PK–4 | Primary | 285 |
| Ixonia Elementary | Oconomowoc Area School District | PK–4 | Primary | 279 |
| West Elementary | Jefferson School District | PK–5 | Primary | 270 |
| Purdy Elementary | Fort Atkinson School District | PK–5 | Primary | 268 |
| Waterloo High | Waterloo School District | 9–12 | High | 255 |
| Schurz Elementary | Watertown Unified School District | PK–5 | Primary | 244 |
| Cambridge High | Cambridge School District | 9–12 | High | 241 |
| Rockwell Elementary | Fort Atkinson School District | PK–5 | Primary | 231 |
| Luther Elementary | Fort Atkinson School District | PK–5 | Primary | 226 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,134
State avg $8,113
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Jefferson County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jefferson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jefferson County?
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jefferson County, Wisconsin — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jefferson County, Wisconsin?
Jefferson County features a large educational footprint with 30 schools serving 9,673 students across five districts. This includes 13 elementary schools and 7 middle schools, providing a deep pipeline for student development.
How do schools in Jefferson County perform academically?
With a 93.3% graduation rate, Jefferson County significantly exceeds both state and national averages. The county's school score of 57.7 is bolstered by efficient spending of $8,134 per pupil, ensuring strong outcomes for every dollar.
What are the major school districts in Jefferson County, Wisconsin?
Fort Atkinson School District is the largest with seven schools and 2,508 students, followed closely by the Jefferson School District. The county also offers specialized options, including one charter school and four 'other' level campuses.
What is the school experience like in Jefferson County?
Most students attend school in town settings, with 21 of the 30 schools located in urban clusters. Schools like Fort Atkinson High (960 students) offer a comprehensive high school experience, while the county average remains a manageable 322 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jefferson County, Wisconsin?
Home buyers in Jefferson County benefit from high-performing schools and a variety of town-centered communities. Research homes near Fort Atkinson or Jefferson to secure a spot in these top-tier Wisconsin districts.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.