The top reported proficiency rate is 89% in Social studies. The lowest is 37% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Ilead Charter Sch
iLEAD Charter Sch is a public charter school in Mauston, Wisconsin, serving grades seven through twelve. It is part of the Mauston School District, which covers the small city of Mauston and the surrounding area. The school’s name stands for Individualized Leadership and Entrepreneurship Academic Discovery, and its focus is suggested by that name, though no detailed program description was provided in the data.
The school is small, with an enrollment that places it at the lower end for a secondary school serving six grade levels. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families in the community have lower household incomes. Racially and ethnically, the student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and multiracial students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
State testing results are available only for the middle school grades – seventh and eighth – because the Wisconsin Forward assessment is given at those levels. Results for sixth grade, if any students at that grade level existed, were suppressed due to very small numbers. For the seventh and eighth graders who were tested, proficiency rates in math, English language arts, science, and social studies varied. In both seventh and eighth grade, about a third to just under half of students scored at or above the proficient level in math and ELA. Science proficiency in eighth grade was slightly higher, and social studies proficiency was notably strong, with most eighth graders reaching the proficient mark. However, these results come from a very small number of students – fewer than ten in each grade – so they should be interpreted with caution. No high school state assessment data was included in the available information, so a parent looking for performance in grades nine through twelve would need to ask the school directly about any alternative assessments or accountability measures.
Compared with other districts in Juneau County, iLEAD’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades stood above the midpoint among the county’s districts. That places it in the upper half of the local comparison group, though the county itself is small and the number of districts is limited.
The school’s graduation rate was not reported in the data. For a school that serves twelfth grade, this is an important measure that a family would want to learn about. Chronic absenteeism data was also missing.
Mauston is a small city and the county seat of Juneau County. It has a rural, small-town character, with a historic downtown along the Lemonweir River, a public library, and Riverside Park with a riverwalk. The population has been essentially flat in recent decades, with no major housing developments reported. Housing values in the area are lower than the state and national benchmarks, which may make the community more affordable for families. The local economy includes the school district, a technical college campus, and a correctional institution. Interstate 90/94 provides regional highway access.
The Mauston School District recently passed an operational referendum, which according to the district’s public communications has allowed it to restore positions, reduce class sizes, and rebuild programs. That change likely affects iLEAD as a district-operated charter school, though the available data did not specify how the charter’s budget or staffing was adjusted.
The picture that emerges is of a very small charter secondary school serving a largely low-income student body in a stable, low-growth rural town. Academic proficiency in the middle grades is mixed, with social studies a relative strength. The high school years are not covered by the state test data provided, and key metrics like graduation rates are absent from this profile. A family considering iLEAD would want to visit, ask about postsecondary outcomes, and understand how the school’s individualized and entrepreneurship focus is implemented in practice.
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