📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (Forward Exam 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
13 Rated Districts in the Appleton, WI Metro Area
Forward Exam 2024–25 · percentile among Wisconsin districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kimberly Area School District | Combined Locks | 10/10 Excellent | 93rd |
| #2 | Brillion School District | Brillion | 9/10 Excellent | 87th |
| #3 | Hortonville School District | Hortonville | 9/10 Excellent | 83rd |
| #4 | Kaukauna Area School District | Kaukauna | 9/10 Excellent | 81st |
| #5 | New Holstein School District | New Holstein | 8/10 Good | 74th |
| #6 | Freedom Area School District | Freedom | 8/10 Good | 71st |
| #7 | Hilbert School District | Hilbert | 7/10 Good | 68th |
| #8 | Little Chute Area School District | Little Chute | 7/10 Good | 68th |
| #9 | Shiocton School District | Shiocton | 7/10 Good | 63rd |
| #10 | Chilton School District | Chilton | 6/10 Average | 51st |
| #11 | Appleton Area School District | Appleton | 4/10 Below Average | 38th |
| #12 | Seymour Community School District | Seymour | 4/10 Below Average | 33rd |
| #13 | Stockbridge School District | Stockbridge | 1/10 Poor | 7th |
Best School Districts in the Appleton, WI Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from Forward Exam 2024–25 (Wisconsin) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Appleton, WI metro area? ▼
Among the 13 rated districts in the Appleton, WI metro area, the highest-rated is Kimberly Area School District (Combined Locks), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 93rd percentile of Wisconsin districts on Forward Exam 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.