The top reported proficiency rate is 89% in Social studies. The lowest is 50% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Stoddard Elementary
Stoddard Elementary is a small, regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in the village of Stoddard, Wisconsin. It is one of the elementary campuses of the De Soto Area School District. The school sits along Main Street in the compact village center, integrated into the residential and civic life of this Mississippi River community. With an enrollment that is small for its grade band and a student body that is predominantly white, the school draws from a quiet, agricultural village and the surrounding rural area. About one-third of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, an indicator of the economic mix present in the community. No data were reported for special education or English learner populations, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
Academically, Stoddard Elementary posts results that place it in the top quartile overall among districts in Vernon County, based on a combined proficiency index across tested subjects and grades. That showing is uneven across grades and subjects, which is not unusual for a school with small class sizes where one cohort can shift the averages. In both math and English language arts, third graders tested at lower proficiency levels, while fourth and fifth graders performed at a more solid level, with roughly two-thirds proficient or above. Fourth graders also take state science and social studies assessments; the scores in those subjects were notably higher, with a strong majority reaching proficiency. Because the tested groups at each grade level are small, these results can swing from year to year. A family might ask the school about how it supports early literacy and math in the primary grades, and how it sustains the stronger results seen in the upper elementary grades.
The village of Stoddard is a very small, predominantly residential community along the Great River Road. Its Main Street holds a few local businesses and two restaurants, but commercial activity is limited. There is no large employer in the village; many residents commute north to La Crosse or to other nearby towns. Housing values in the area are moderate, roughly in line with state benchmarks, and the overall cost of living is typical for a rural Wisconsin village. The school itself shares the village core with St. Matthew’s Lutheran School, a private K-8 option, and with Village Hall. The district recently passed a referendum that allows it to exceed state revenue limits for several years through the 2028-2029 school year, with the stated purpose of sustaining educational programming, maintaining class sizes, and retaining staff. That measure has a direct bearing on the resources available at Stoddard Elementary.
For a family considering this school, the key takeaway is that Stoddard Elementary offers a small, community-anchored elementary experience in a quiet rural setting, with overall academic proficiency that stands among the stronger schools in the county. The variability by grade, especially the lower third-grade results, is worth a conversation with the school. The lack of reported data on special education and English learner supports, as well as on chronic absenteeism and student discipline, means that some aspects of the school’s environment are not captured here. A visit and direct questions about those areas would fill in the picture.
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