The top reported proficiency rate is 74% in Social studies. The lowest is 52% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Haen Elementary
Haen Elementary is one of four public elementary schools in the Kaukauna Area School District, serving first through fourth grades. It is a regular neighborhood school, not a charter or magnet. The school is located on the south side of Kaukauna, a mid-sized Fox River city that is part of the Appleton metropolitan area and is sometimes called "The Electric City" after its historic hydroelectric plant. Kaukauna has a mix of older residential streets, a historic downtown along Second Street, and industrial areas anchored by a large paper mill that has been the city’s dominant employer for generations. The Fox River divides the town, with four bridges connecting the north and south sides. Housing values in the area sit around the national median, and the community has seen steady population growth in recent years.
The school’s enrollment is modest for its grade band. Demographically, the student body is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic minority and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a mix of economic backgrounds. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records reviewed.
On state assessments, Haen’s results in fourth grade were notably stronger than in third grade. In fourth-grade math and English language arts, a majority of students scored at or above the proficient level. Fourth-grade science and social studies results were also solid, with most students reaching proficiency. In third grade, however, the picture was more mixed. While a slim majority met the bar in math, fewer than half did so in English language arts. This gap between the two grade levels suggests that whether the school builds academic momentum as students progress is something a parent may want to explore further with the school’s staff. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s composite proficiency index placed it below the midpoint compared to other districts in Outagamie County. The district itself, meanwhile, had an operational referendum approved by voters to exceed state revenue limits in order to maintain programming and class sizes.
Haen does not serve grades that receive a graduation rate, and no chronic absenteeism data was available. Similarly, information on discipline rates, course access, and staffing ratios was not provided. The school’s Title I status was not reported in the data.
Kaukauna’s civic life centers on its downtown riverfront area, with a farmers market, concert series, parks, and the 1000 Islands Environmental Center offering trails. The Free Public Library is downtown, while the school buildings, including Haen, are on separate campuses spread across the city. The district’s four elementary schools feed into a single middle school and high school. The paper mill remains a major industrial presence, and the district and city government are also significant employers. The city has seen steady population growth and ongoing public investment, such as a recently renovated aquatic center.
For a family considering Haen, this is a standard-issue public elementary school in a stable, growing Fox River town. The academic results show a noticeable uptick between third and fourth grade, with fourth-grade performance across subjects being the school’s clearer strength. The third-grade reading results are an area where a parent would want to understand how the school supports students who are not yet at the proficient level. The community offers a traditional small-city setting with a historic downtown, riverfront recreation, and a manufacturing-based economy.
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