The top reported proficiency rate is 57% in Social studies. The lowest is 27% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Saint Croix Virtual Academy Inc
Saint Croix Virtual Academy Inc is a public charter school serving prekindergarten through twelfth grade, operating under the Saint Croix Central School District in Hammond, Wisconsin. As a virtual academy, it represents a deliberate alternative to the district's brick-and-mortar schools, offering families a fully online instructional model. Its charter status means it is publicly funded but operates with some flexibility in its approach, and it draws students across the district area rather than from a single attendance zone.
The school's enrollment is heavily concentrated in the upper grades. The largest share of students is in twelfth grade, with sizable groups in tenth and eleventh grades as well. By contrast, the elementary and middle school grades each have very small enrollments, often only a handful of students per grade level. This distribution suggests that many families may enroll their children in the virtual academy later in their academic careers, possibly as a flexible alternative during high school. The overall enrollment is modest for a PK-12 school, and the small numbers in the lower grades mean that a parent with an elementary-aged child should expect a very small peer group at their child's exact grade level.
State testing data is limited for this school, and most results are suppressed due to small student counts, which is expected for a virtual program where many enrolled students may not participate in on-site testing or where the tested population is very small. For the few grades where data was reported, the results offer only a narrow window. In math, eighth grade students showed a proficiency rate that was below typical levels, while seventh grade math proficiency was similarly low. In English language arts, seventh graders met proficiency at a rate that was closer to typical, while eighth graders in ELA were below that. Science results for eighth grade were also below typical. Social studies for eighth graders was the strongest reported area, with a majority of tested students reaching proficiency. Given the small number of students tested in each grade — only a handful — these results should be read as snapshots of a very small group rather than a reliable read on the program's overall effectiveness. It is not possible to draw firm conclusions about the school's academic performance from such sparse data.
The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic and Black students and even smaller numbers of Asian and multiracial students. Approximately two-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure of economic need that is in line with many public schools in the region. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, which is a gap a parent may want to clarify with the school.
Compared to other districts in St. Croix County, this school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quartile. That comparison covers six districts in the county, and the position is based on the limited proficiency data that was able to be reported. Because a virtual school's test participation patterns often differ from those of traditional schools — some families choose virtual models specifically to opt out of standardized testing — this comparative position should be interpreted with that context in mind rather than taken as a straightforward measure of instructional quality.
Hammond, where the school is based, is a small village in western Wisconsin with a family-oriented identity and a mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial parks near Interstate 94. It is within commuting distance of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. The village has a settled, homeowner-heavy residential base, and housing is relatively affordable compared to broader markets. Population growth in Hammond has been essentially flat in recent years, though household income has been rising. The Saint Croix Central district has invested in facilities recently, passing a referendum for a new middle school that opened in 2022 and a subsequent referendum in 2024 for security upgrades, HVAC improvements, roof replacements, and elementary classroom additions in Roberts. The district has also adopted a new structured literacy curriculum in response to state legislation, shifting to a science-based reading approach in the early grades.
For a family considering this school, the central question is whether a fully virtual model fits the student's learning style, family schedule, and need for flexibility. The academic data does not offer a clear picture of outcomes, and the comparative performance is low, but the very small tested population makes that comparison uncertain. The school is best suited for a family that values the virtual format itself — for students who need scheduling flexibility, who thrive in online learning environments, or who seek an alternative to the traditional school setting. A parent should expect a very small cohort in elementary and middle grades and should verify directly with the school how instruction, assessments, and student support are structured at each grade level.
See more original research from School Decision →