Racine Unified School District, WI

Original Research by School Decision on Racine Unified School District

Racine Unified School District is the largest public school system in Racine County, serving a geographically diverse area that includes the city of Racine as well as the communities of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant, and Raymond. It enrolls students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across more than two dozen schools, among them several elementary schools, a Montessori school, an early education center, an alternative learning program, and four traditional high schools. The district’s size means families will find a wide array of school settings, but the experience for any given student will depend heavily on which school they attend.

On state assessments, proficiency rates across all tested grades and subjects fall well below the midpoint among the county’s districts. In math, the share of students meeting or exceeding expectations hovers roughly between a fifth and a quarter of test-takers, depending on grade level. English language arts proficiency is somewhat higher but still modest, with about a quarter to a third of students scoring at grade level. Science and social studies results follow a similar pattern, with social studies rates approaching two-fifths of students proficient. The district’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other Racine County districts. Chronic absenteeism is markedly high, also ranking in the bottom quartile in the county — a sign that a substantial number of students are missing enough school to affect learning. Graduation rate data was not available, so a parent may want to ask the district directly about its four-year completion figures.

The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. Hispanic students make up the largest group, followed by white and Black students, with a meaningful share of students identifying as two or more races. Data on economic disadvantage and special education enrollment were not reported, but the district’s spending per pupil is in the upper range among county districts, suggesting above-average investment in its schools.

Housing in the communities served by the district varies considerably. Home values in the city of Racine are on the lower end, while parts of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, and Raymond show higher property values. Rents across the district are generally moderate, though the range reflects the area’s economic diversity. The district’s footprint means families may find different school experiences depending on whether they live in a denser urban setting or a more suburban part of the county.

A prominent and ongoing story for the district involves secession efforts. In recent years, referendums in Caledonia and Sturtevant narrowly passed, authorizing those communities to explore forming their own school districts. While the process has been slow and has involved litigation, the possibility of a future split carries direct implications for families living in those areas. A parent considering buying a home in Caledonia or Sturtevant should be aware that the district their children attend could change if the secession moves forward.

The district offers a variety of program choices beyond its traditional neighborhood schools, including fine arts, an International Baccalaureate program, Montessori, and alternative learning options. For families looking for specialized pathways, these options add flexibility. However, the district’s overall academic results and attendance challenges are soft spots that a parent may want to investigate further by visiting individual schools, talking to current families, and asking about specific supports for students who are struggling. The decision to enroll here will depend on a family’s particular priorities and which school within the district best matches their child’s needs.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

15,963

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 33%

Black 24%

White 33%

Asian 1%

Two+ 8%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

18%

39%

Gr 4

23%

46%

Gr 5

19%

45%

Gr 6

15%

45%

Gr 7

21%

51%

Gr 8

21%

49%

Math

Gr 3

18%

40%

Gr 4

16%

40%

Gr 5

11%

37%

Gr 6

33%

Gr 7

15%

44%

Gr 8

11%

35%

Science

Gr 4

20%

41%

Gr 8

19%

45%

Social studies

Gr 4

33%

62%

Gr 8

29%

58%

source_specific:read

Gr 3

19%

39%

Gr 4

23%

46%

Gr 5

23%

42%

Gr 6

20%

50%

Gr 7

23%

52%

Gr 8

24%

52%

source_specific:wri

Gr 3

21%

42%

Gr 4

23%

45%

Gr 5

20%

47%

Gr 6

14%

43%

Gr 7

19%

51%

Gr 8

18%

45%

Schools in this District

28 schools are officially reported under this district.

O Brown Elementary

Gilmore Fine Arts School

Fratt Elementary

Horlick High

Case High

Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary

Jerstad-Agerholm School

Starbuck - An IB World School

Wadewitz Elementary

Walden III High

West Ridge Elementary

Gifford School

The REAL Sch

All District 4 Year Old Kindergarten

Bull Early Education Center

RUSD Montessori

Racine Alternative Learning

Julian Thomas Elementary

Racine County Jail

Racine County Detention Center

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

26%

Grade 3

24%

Grade 4

21%

Grade 5

18%

Grade 6

26%

Grade 7

20%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

26%

Grade 3

31%

Grade 4

29%

Grade 5

26%

Grade 6

33%

Grade 7

31%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

27%

Grade 4

28%

Grade 8

Social Studies

2 grades reported

43%

Grade 4

40%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$323,688

Year-over-year change+4.8%

Range across 8 ZIP codes$198K to $460K

vs. state typical0.97x

vs. national typical0.88x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (8 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
53402	Caledonia	$300K	+3.7%	20.0%
53177	Sturtevant	$319K	+5.4%	17.8%
53406	Mount Pleasant	$326K	+5.1%	16.4%
53126	Raymond	$460K	+5.2%	14.5%
53108	Raymond	$394K	+7.5%	10.7%
53403	Racine	$214K	+1.9%	9.2%
53405	Racine	$233K	+5.3%	6.6%
53404	Racine	$198K	+3.9%	4.9%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,378/mo

Year-over-year change+5.4%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$1,130 to $1,676/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
53402	Caledonia	$1,298	—	20.0%
53406	Mount Pleasant	$1,676	+4.2%	16.4%
53403	Racine	$1,154	+7.6%	9.2%
53404	Racine	$1,130	—	4.9%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,633/mo

Home price / national median income3.9x

Annual rent / national median income19.8%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$255/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.