- East High — Grades 9–12 · 1238 students
- West High — Grades 9–12 · 1024 students
- Badger Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 258 students
- Columbus Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 88 students
- Edison Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 242 students
- Einstein Middle — Grades 6–8 · 851 students
- Franklin Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 277 students
- Highlands Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 417 students
- Huntley Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 570 students
- Jefferson Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 212 students
- Johnston Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 286 students
- Ronald C Dunlap Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 314 students
- Madison Middle — Grades 6–8 · 929 students
- McKinley Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 380 students
- Richmond Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 245 students
- Wilson Middle — Grades 6–8 · 587 students
- North High — Grades 9–12 · 1635 students
- Classical School — Grades K–8 · 487 students
- Odyssey-Magellan — Grades 2–8 · 214 students
- Renaissance School — Grades 9–12 · 151 students
- Horizons Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 264 students
- Houdini Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 501 students
- Ferber Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 499 students
- Berry Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 368 students
- Tesla Engineering Charter School — Grades 9–12 · 147 students
- Appleton eSchool — Grades 7–12 · 35 students
- Fox River Academy — Grades K–8 · 150 students
- Appleton Public Montessori — Grades PK–6 · 149 students
- Stephen Foster Elementary Charter — Grades PK–5 · 200 students
- Appleton Cooperative Educational Center — Grades 9–12 · 0 students
- Appleton Middle — Grades 6–8 · 223 students
- Appleton High — Grades 9–12 · 300 students
| Metric | Appleton Area School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 4 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Near average |
About Appleton Area School District
Appleton Area School District serves zip code 54911, covering Appleton, Wisconsin with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Appleton Area School District spends approximately $13,500 per student per year, placing it near the Wisconsin state average of approximately $13,500 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 38 schools serving grades K–12, Appleton Area School District qualifies as a very large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 15,270 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Appleton Area School District ranks among Wisconsin’s below average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Wisconsin is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Appleton Area School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Wisconsin benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 54911
Children in zip code 54911 are assigned to Appleton Area School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 54911, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Appleton Area School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Wisconsin districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Appleton
For families considering a purchase in the Appleton area, district assignment matters financially. Because Appleton Area School District serves zip code 54911, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 54911. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Wisconsin, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Appleton Area School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 54911.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Appleton Area School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 54911 data.