Waunakee Community School District | Waunakee, WI
If you’re researching Waunakee schools before buying a home, the biggest questions are usually: how the Waunakee Community School District performs on the Wisconsin DPI report card, how it stacks up in Wisconsin rankings, and what to know about school options and boundaries.
Quick answer: Waunakee Community School District is rated “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” by the Wisconsin DPI with an overall score of 84.6, and is ranked #7 in Wisconsin on Niche (and #2 in the Madison Area). It’s also ranked #1 for athletes in Wisconsin on Niche.
Waunakee Community School District Snapshot
Below are the key district stats and identifiers families often look for when comparing Waunakee schools to nearby districts.
| DPI Overall Rating | Significantly Exceeds Expectations (84.6) |
|---|---|
| Grades Served | K4–12 |
| District Enrollment (DPI) | 4,415 students |
| Number of Schools | 7 schools |
| Student–Teacher Ratio | 13:1 |
| District Codes | WI DPI District #: 6181 NCES District ID: 5515810 |
How Do Waunakee Schools Perform on the DPI Report Card?
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) district report card uses priority area scores (Achievement, Growth, Target Group Outcomes, and On-Track to Graduation) to produce an overall district score and rating. For 2024–25, Waunakee Community School District earned an overall score of 84.6 and the top rating category: Significantly Exceeds Expectations.
| Overall Score | 84.6 (Significantly Exceeds Expectations) |
|---|---|
| Achievement | 86.9 |
| Growth | 76.5 |
| Target Group Outcomes | 76.6 |
| On-Track to Graduation | 91.2 |
How Do Waunakee Schools Rank in Wisconsin?
Waunakee performs extremely well in statewide and regional rankings. On Niche, Waunakee Community School District is ranked: #7 in Wisconsin, #2 in the Madison Area, and #1 in Wisconsin for athletes.
| Best School Districts in Wisconsin | #7 |
|---|---|
| Best School Districts in the Madison Area | #2 |
| Best School Districts for Athletes in Wisconsin | #1 |
| Best Places to Teach in Wisconsin | #25 |
Find Your Assigned Waunakee School
If school assignment is a decision factor, the safest approach is to confirm boundaries using the district’s official resources (instead of relying on third-party maps).
Official boundary resource: View Waunakee Community School District boundaries (official district PDF)
Tip: If you’re close to a boundary or looking at new construction, confirm the assigned school before you write an offer.
Which Neighborhoods Feed into Waunakee Schools?
This is one of the most common “moving to Waunakee” questions. In practice, feeder patterns are determined by official attendance boundaries. Since boundaries can change over time, the most accurate way to confirm a specific address is through the district’s official tools and guidance.
How Do Waunakee Schools Compare to Nearby Districts?
In Dane County, Waunakee is often compared with Middleton–Cross Plains, Verona, DeForest, Sun Prairie, and Madison. “Best” usually depends on your priorities: academics, athletics, programs, commute, housing style, and neighborhood vibe.
FAQ: Waunakee Community School District
How do I confirm which school my Waunakee address is assigned to?
The most reliable method is using the district’s official boundary resources. If you’re near a boundary, confirm assignment directly with the school district before making a housing decision.
What is the Waunakee school district code?
Waunakee Community School District is commonly identified as WI DPI district number 6181 and NCES District ID 5515810.
Is Waunakee Community School District a good school district?
Based on DPI’s 2024–25 district report card, Waunakee is rated Significantly Exceeds Expectations with an overall score of 84.6. Niche also ranks Waunakee #7 in Wisconsin and #2 in the Madison Area.
Learn About Nearby School Districts
Sources
- Waunakee Community School District official website: waunakee.k12.wi.us
- Waunakee school district boundaries (official district PDF): Boundary map PDF
- NCES district identifier (District ID 5515810 shown on NCES pages): NCES
- Wisconsin DPI district number reference (district #6181): DPI district list
About the Author
This guide was compiled by John Reuter (John Reuter – Integrity Homes), using publicly available education data and official district resources to help families researching Waunakee schools understand district performance, rankings, and how to confirm attendance boundaries.
John Reuter – Integrity Homes • Contact