The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Social studies. The lowest is 18% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on One City Schools Inc
One City Schools Inc is a small, independent charter district in Dane County, Wisconsin, serving students from preschool through tenth grade. It is a relatively new and growing entity, having recently expanded its grade span to include a secondary school, One City Preparatory Academy. The district’s official NCES record lists a single district location with no city designation, and its two schools—One City Elementary School and One City Preparatory Academy—operate under a single charter authorized by the UW System. There is no traditional neighborhood boundary; families choose this district.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic population and a smaller share of white students and students of two or more races. Asian and Native American students each make up a very small share. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, as well as for students with disabilities and English learners, was not available. The district has grown quickly: it now enrolls a modest number of students across grades PK through eight, with enrollment tapering off sharply after sixth grade and no reported students in grades eight through ten despite the district’s stated grade span.
On the Wisconsin Forward Exam, One City Schools’ results place it in the bottom quartile among Dane County’s districts for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, proficiency rates across grades three through eight are consistently low, with the highest share of students reaching proficiency in fourth grade and the lowest in fifth grade, where a very small share of students scored at the proficient level. English language arts results are somewhat stronger but still well below the county median. In third and fifth grades, a modest share of students met proficiency, while fourth, sixth, and seventh grades showed lower rates. Science and social studies results at grades four and eight also fall in a similar range, with a larger share of eighth graders proficient in social studies than in science. A parent considering the district should be aware that these test results reflect a student population that is early in its academic trajectory; the district is young and still building its secondary grades program.
The district reports a high chronic absenteeism rate, placing it among the highest in Dane County. This is a soft spot that a parent may want to look into further with the school, as it can affect both individual student progress and the classroom environment.
The district does not yet serve high school grades through graduation, so there is no four-year graduation rate to report. Publicly reported information shows that in early 2023 the UW System approved One City Schools to add its secondary school, One City Preparatory Academy, initially serving middle school grades. The district’s NCES record now lists a PK through ten grade span, indicating a continued build-out into high school. This gives families in the district a continuous preschool through middle school pathway and the prospect of an in-district high school in the future, though the high school program is not yet in place.
Dane County is home to many districts with a wide range of academic profiles. One City Schools sits on one end of that spectrum on test scores and absenteeism. For a family drawn to a small, mission-driven charter district with an explicit focus on serving a diverse student body and building a continuous K-12 pathway, this district offers a clearly defined alternative to the larger, more established districts in the county. For families whose priority is high peer test scores or a low absenteeism rate, the available data suggests this district may not be the right fit. As always, the best next step is a direct conversation with the school to understand its approach, its current secondary program, and its plans.
See more original research from School Decision →