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GreatSchools Rating

Spence Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 385 students

Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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2 reviews of this school


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Posted June 5, 2011

This school has proven time and time again to me that there is little change in the way things are run. It is an "old school" way of thinking and it seems as though parent involvment is not very welcomed. There is a new principle now and small positive changes were seen in the past 2010-2011 school year. But La Crosse has choice schools in it's district and Spence just has not kept up with new and progressive changes that can be seen at other La Crosse Schools. It is disappointing, we are looking to move to another school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 11, 2009

The teachers are very nice at Spence. But there is a lot of need for change. This school is ran very old-school and parents are not welcome to participate.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

39 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
86%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 81% in 2012.

39 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
89%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
91%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Wisconsin used the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS), which includes the WKCE and WAA, to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in math and reading, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in language arts, science and social studies. The WSAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Wisconsin. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level. In private schools, only voucher program participants are tested.

See Wisconsin's state standards

Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Language Arts

The state average for Language Arts was 78% in 2012.

51 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
71%
Math

The state average for Math was 81% in 2012.

51 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
87%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 83% in 2012.

51 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
87%
Science

The state average for Science was 79% in 2012.

51 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
80%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 93% in 2012.

51 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
100%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Wisconsin used the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS), which includes the WKCE and WAA, to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in math and reading, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in language arts, science and social studies. The WSAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Wisconsin. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level. In private schools, only voucher program participants are tested.

See Wisconsin's state standards

Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 81% in 2012.

59 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
75%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 81% in 2012.

59 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
81%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Wisconsin used the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS), which includes the WKCE and WAA, to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in math and reading, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in language arts, science and social studies. The WSAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Wisconsin. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level. In private schools, only voucher program participants are tested.

See Wisconsin's state standards

Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Math

All Students84%
Female85%
Male83%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin87%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilities29%
Non-disabled94%
English learnersn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant84%

Reading

All Students89%
Female95%
Male82%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin94%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilities29%
Non-disabled100%
English learnersn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Wisconsin used the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS), which includes the WKCE and WAA, to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in math and reading, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in language arts, science and social studies. The WSAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Wisconsin. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level. In private schools, only voucher program participants are tested.

The different student groups are identified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 5 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group. Subgroup scores for each school are only reported for students who were enrolled as of the fall enrollment count. The All students score includes results for all students who took the test, regardless of when they first enrolled in the school.

See Wisconsin's state standards

Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Language Arts

All Students75%
Female83%
Male61%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin80%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilities43%
Non-disabled80%
English learners50%
Proficient in English79%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant75%

Math

All Students75%
Female79%
Male66%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin82%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilities29%
Non-disabled83%
English learners50%
Proficient in English78%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant75%

Reading

All Students75%
Female85%
Male56%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin82%
Economically disadvantaged63%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilities14%
Non-disabled84%
English learners33%
Proficient in English80%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant75%

Science

All Students73%
Female71%
Male78%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin79%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilities43%
Non-disabled78%
English learners50%
Proficient in English76%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant73%

Social Studies

All Students94%
Female95%
Male94%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin95%
Economically disadvantaged93%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilities72%
Non-disabled98%
English learners100%
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant94%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Wisconsin used the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS), which includes the WKCE and WAA, to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in math and reading, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in language arts, science and social studies. The WSAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Wisconsin. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level. In private schools, only voucher program participants are tested.

The different student groups are identified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 5 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group. Subgroup scores for each school are only reported for students who were enrolled as of the fall enrollment count. The All students score includes results for all students who took the test, regardless of when they first enrolled in the school.

See Wisconsin's state standards

Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Math

All Students72%
Female84%
Male66%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islander44%
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin80%
Economically disadvantaged76%
Not economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disabilities42%
Non-disabled79%
English learners29%
Proficient in English77%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant72%

Reading

All Students69%
Female85%
Male61%
Black, not of Hispanic originn/a
Asian/Pacific Islander22%
Hispanicn/a
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White, not of Hispanic origin75%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Not economically disadvantaged74%
Students with disabilities16%
Non-disabled81%
English learners0%
Proficient in English77%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant69%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Wisconsin used the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS), which includes the WKCE and WAA, to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 10 in math and reading, and in grades 4, 8 and 10 in language arts, science and social studies. The WSAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Wisconsin. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level. In private schools, only voucher program participants are tested.

The different student groups are identified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 5 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group. Subgroup scores for each school are only reported for students who were enrolled as of the fall enrollment count. The All students score includes results for all students who took the test, regardless of when they first enrolled in the school.

See Wisconsin's state standards

Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White, not Hispanic 76% 74%
Asian 8% 4%
Multiracial 6% 2%
Black, not Hispanic 5% 10%
Hispanic 3% 10%
American Indian/Alaskan Native 1% 1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: WI Dept. of Public Instruction, 2011-2012

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Limited English proficient 8%N/A6%
Disabled students 16%N/A14%
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 52%N/A39%
Source: WI Dept. of Public Instruction, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 12N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2150 Bennett St
La Crosse, WI 54601
Website: Click here
Phone: (608) 789-7773

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