The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in Math. The lowest is 47% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Chilton Elementary
Chilton Elementary is a regular public school serving students from four-year-old kindergarten through fourth grade in the Chilton School District. It is the sole elementary school in the district, and its grade band means that families with children in these early years will find a single neighborhood school for this stage of learning before students move on to Chilton Middle School and High School. The school is located on Court Street in the heart of Chilton, the county seat of Calumet County, a small city with a German heritage character, a historic uptown commercial district, and a downtown manufacturing hub anchored by employers such as Kaytee Products and Briess Malt & Ingredients.
The student body is large enough to offer typical elementary grade sections, with enrollment distributed across each grade from PK through fourth. Racially and ethnically, the school is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic presence and small shares of students who are Black or identify as two or more races. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch and on students with disabilities or English learner status was not available; a parent looking into support services might want to follow up directly with the school to learn about these dimensions of the student population.
State testing results are available for grades three and four in math, English language arts, science, and social studies. On the Forward assessment, which is Wisconsin’s general state test, third graders showed proficiency in math at a level that suggests solid foundational skills, while fourth grade math proficiency was a bit stronger. In English language arts, both grades were near the middle, with roughly half of students meeting the proficiency benchmark; a parent may want to explore how the school supports early literacy and reading development, especially given that these are foundational years. Science results for fourth graders were lower than the other subjects, while social studies proficiency was higher. Across all tested subjects and grades, Chilton Elementary’s overall proficiency index sits below the midpoint compared with other districts in Calumet County, a context that places its academic performance in the middle tier relative to its immediate neighbors. The school achieved very high participation rates on the assessments, so results reflect nearly all enrolled students.
Because Chilton Elementary serves only through fourth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, nor are there high school–level measures such as AP or dual-credit offerings. For families considering the full K-12 pathway, the district’s high school and middle school would provide that picture. The district brief notes two recent capital improvements that directly affect this school. In September 2024, an interior renovation of Chilton Elementary itself was completed, described as a sizable square-footage project that created large classrooms with natural light, a skylight area, and updated learning environments. This is a lasting facility upgrade that parents evaluating the physical learning space will want to weigh. Separately, in August 2023, the district opened a new Athletic Complex with a synthetic turf field and a nine-lane track, a feature that may matter for families whose children will eventually move through the district’s middle and high school years.
Housing in Chilton is priced near the national median, with recent year-over-year appreciation that has outpaced the national average. Mortgage rates at the time of this profile are roughly in line with recent national trends, and the overall economic context includes a moderate unemployment rate and median household income that is above the national figure. The city itself has a small-town feel, with a mix of residential neighborhoods, a walkable historic core, and civic anchors including the county courthouse, a community center, and nearby parks. Chilton’s population has seen a modest decline in recent years, and development has focused on infill projects such as a senior apartment complex and public river access rather than large-scale new subdivisions. This context matters for families thinking about neighborhood stability and property values.
Overall, Chilton Elementary offers a straightforward early elementary experience within a small city that serves as a county seat. Its academic results place it in the middle range among county districts, with strengths in math at the fourth-grade level and social studies, while English and science are areas where a parent may want to inquire further about instructional approaches. The recent renovation signals district investment in this building, and the broader district has made visible capital improvements. The school fits families who want a single elementary school for their young children in a stable, modest-sized community with a mix of manufacturing and government employment and access to outdoor recreation at nearby state parks.
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