The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in Math. The lowest is 75% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Cushing Elementary
Cushing Elementary is a regular public school in Delafield, Wisconsin, serving students from preschool through fifth grade as part of the Kettle Moraine School District. The school sits in a small city within Waukesha County’s Lake Country region, about a half-hour west of Milwaukee along the I-94 corridor. Delafield is an affluent community with a mix of residential neighborhoods, lakeside recreational amenities, and three distinct commercial districts—a Williamsburg-styled downtown, a highway interchange area with national retailers, and a Village Square with everyday services. Housing values in the area are well above state and national averages, and the population is highly educated, with a large share of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Academically, Cushing Elementary posted strong results on Wisconsin’s Forward assessments for the school year ending in 2025. Proficiency rates in math and English language arts were consistently high across tested grades three through five, with rates in the high 70s to low 80s. Science and social studies results for fourth grade were similarly solid. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across subjects and grades, placed it slightly below the midpoint among districts in Waukesha County. That is a strong showing in a county that itself tends to have relatively high academic performance compared to the rest of the state. A parent looking at these numbers would find a school that is performing at a high level.
The school enrolls a fairly small student body for its grade band. The student population is predominantly white, with modest shares of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and multiracial students. Just over one in ten students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is low compared to state averages. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a family interested in those supports may want to ask the district directly.
A critical piece of context comes from the district itself. According to publicly reported information, the Kettle Moraine School Board voted in December 2023 to close Cushing Elementary at the end of the 2023-24 school year, citing declining enrollment and the need to reduce operating costs. Students were to be consolidated into other district elementary schools starting in the 2024-25 school year. Despite that, the district’s profile data for the 2024-25 school year still shows Cushing Elementary as open and reports test results for that year. The reason for this discrepancy is not explained in the available data. A family researching this school should verify its current operational status directly with the Kettle Moraine School District, as the reported closure may have been delayed, reversed, or the data may reflect the school’s final year before consolidation.
The district itself approved two major referendums in November 2024: a facilities bond for capital maintenance and safety improvements across district buildings, and a recurring revenue limit override to fund ongoing operations. Both passed with strong support. These measures have a lasting impact on district finances and property taxes for residents.
Delafield’s housing market reflects the area’s desirability. Home values have climbed steadily, and the market shows moderate demand with limited supply. The community offers significant outdoor recreation, including Nagawicka Lake, Lapham Peak State Park, and the Ice Age Trail, which runs through downtown and connects to Cushing Memorial Park. The school itself is named after Civil War Medal of Honor recipient Alonzo Cushing, a Delafield native.
Cushing Elementary, as presented in the data, is a school with strong academic outcomes in a high-cost, high-amenity suburban setting. The unresolved question of its closure makes it essential for any family to confirm whether it is still operating before making decisions tied to attendance boundaries.
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