Mcfarland School District, WI

Original Research by School Decision on Mcfarland School District

McFarland School District serves a community that sits just south of Madison, in Dane County. The district covers a mix of suburban and small-town settings, with the village of McFarland as its core. Housing values in the district are above the national median, and rents are similarly elevated, reflecting the area's desirability as a Madison-adjacent suburb. The district's enrollment is full in all grades, a publicly reported shift from a prior pattern of stable enrollment, which suggests that families looking to move into the area may face limited capacity.

The district serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Its enrollment is diverse, with a student body that is predominantly white, with a substantial share of students who are Black, Hispanic, or identify as two or more races. The district also includes a small number of students who are Asian or American Indian or Alaska Native. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available.

On state assessments, McFarland's proficiency rates in math and English language arts show a pattern that varies by grade level. In math, the highest proficiency rates are in the early elementary grades, with a noticeable decline as students move into middle school. English language arts proficiency rates are more consistent across grades, though they also dip in the middle school years. Science and social studies are tested in fourth and eighth grades; fourth-grade social studies proficiency is a relative strength, while eighth-grade science proficiency is lower. When compared with other districts in Dane County, the district's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quartile. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the specific academic supports in place.

Chronic absenteeism, however, is a clear strength. The district's rate of chronic absenteeism is in the top quartile among Dane County's districts, meaning students are generally attending school consistently. Per-pupil current spending is in the lower range compared with other districts in the county.

The district operates a range of schools, including a primary school, an intermediate school, a middle school, and a high school, as well as a 4K program. It also hosts several virtual and career-focused academies, including the Wisconsin Virtual Academy for both K-8 and high school levels, a Destinations Career Academy, and an Insight School of Wisconsin High. These online options give families an alternative to the traditional in-person pathway, though the data does not indicate how many students are enrolled in each.

The district's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile among Dane County's districts. This is a soft spot in the academic picture. Chronic absenteeism, however, is a clear strength, with a rate in the top quartile among the county's districts, meaning students are generally present and engaged. Per-pupil spending is in the lower range compared with peers.

A parent may want to ask the district about the specific academic supports available, particularly in the middle grades where math proficiency shows a decline. The district's own communications note that enrollment is full in all grades, which could affect class sizes and the availability of open seats for new families. The one-to-one device program, implemented in recent years, is a lasting shift in how instruction is delivered.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

5,639

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 12%

Black 10%

White 66%

Asian 3%

Two+ 8%

Am. Indian / AK Native 1%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

19%

66%

Gr 4

30%

66%

Gr 5

24%

71%

Gr 6

33%

70%

Gr 7

28%

61%

Gr 8

38%

63%

Math

Gr 3

23%

75%

Gr 4

22%

69%

Gr 5

27%

72%

Gr 6

19%

69%

Gr 7

19%

56%

Gr 8

19%

56%

Science

Gr 4

27%

68%

Gr 8

25%

60%

Social studies

Gr 4

38%

84%

Gr 8

36%

71%

source_specific:read

Gr 3

24%

66%

Gr 4

32%

62%

Gr 5

32%

66%

Gr 6

34%

61%

Gr 7

31%

57%

Gr 8

43%

58%

source_specific:wri

Gr 3

22%

67%

Gr 4

24%

68%

Gr 5

26%

70%

Gr 6

28%

76%

Gr 7

28%

61%

Gr 8

32%

64%

Schools in this District

9 schools are officially reported under this district.

Conrad Elvehjem Primary School

Wisconsin Virtual Academy K-8 (WIVA)

Wisconsin Virtual Academy High (WIVA)

Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin High

Insight School of Wisconsin High

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

60%

Grade 3

54%

Grade 4

58%

Grade 5

52%

Grade 6

42%

Grade 7

39%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

52%

Grade 3

54%

Grade 4

56%

Grade 5

57%

Grade 6

48%

Grade 7

52%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

55%

Grade 4

44%

Grade 8

Social Studies

2 grades reported

69%

Grade 4

55%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$477,960

Year-over-year change+2.4%

Range across 6 ZIP codes$431K to $513K

vs. state typical1.43x

vs. national typical1.30x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (6 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
53558	McFarland	$492K	+2.2%	71.8%
53718	Madison	$431K	+2.3%	14.1%
53589	Stoughton	$433K	+4.0%	8.7%
53527	Cottage Grove	$481K	+3.1%	5.2%
53575	Oregon	$501K	+2.5%	0.2%
53711	Madison	$513K	+3.6%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,323/mo

Year-over-year change+3.7%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$1,601 to $2,575/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
53558	McFarland	$2,575	—	71.8%
53718	Madison	$1,679	+4.5%	14.1%
53589	Stoughton	$1,601	—	8.7%
53527	Cottage Grove	$1,790	+1.4%	5.2%
53711	Madison	$1,710	+0.4%	0.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,412/mo

Home price / national median income5.7x

Annual rent / national median income33.3%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$89/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$333,909 (+5.4% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.