The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Social studies. The lowest is 56% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Oaklawn Elementary
Oaklawn Elementary is a regular public school in Menomonie, Wisconsin, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is one of the elementary schools within the School District of the Menomonie Area, a district that also includes a middle school and high school.
The school sits in Menomonie, a small city with a distinct college-town character. The University of Wisconsin–Stout, a polytechnic university with a large student population, is integrated into the downtown area, and a campus of Chippewa Valley Technical College adds to the student presence. Major employers such as 3M, Ford, Andersen Windows, and a Mayo Health System hospital give the local economy a mix of manufacturing and healthcare. Downtown Menomonie features a historic Main Street district with independent shops, restaurants, and the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, while Lake Menomin provides a waterfront walkway at the city's center. The population has been relatively stable in recent years, and housing values in the area sit close to the state median, with rents also near typical levels for Wisconsin.
On state assessments administered through the Wisconsin Forward Exam, Oaklawn's students performed at a level that placed the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades above the midpoint among the four school districts in Dunn County. In mathematics, proficiency rates were consistent across grades three, four, and five, with each grade showing that a solid majority of students met or exceeded the state's expectations. English language arts results showed more variation: fourth graders posted a stronger outcome, while third graders were near the halfway mark and fifth graders were below it. Science and social studies are tested only in fourth grade; students turned in results that were among the strongest for the school, particularly in social studies, where a large majority scored proficient or advanced.
Because Oaklawn serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Similarly, data on chronic absenteeism and on the share of students with individualized education programs or English learner status was not available in the records reviewed, so a fuller picture of student support needs is not possible from this data alone.
The student body of roughly typical size for an elementary school in the district is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students who identify as two or more races, Asian, Hispanic, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native. Just over a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that reflects a moderate level of economic diversity.
Homes in the attendance area carry a value that is modestly below the state median, and rents are similarly positioned relative to Wisconsin averages. The affordability of housing compared to national benchmarks is favorable, though with mortgage rates around typical levels, the monthly cost of buying is notably higher than renting in the current market.
At the district level, voters have approved recent referendums with lasting impact on school funding and facilities. In 2022, a recurring operational referendum allowed the district to exceed its state revenue limit for several years to support educational programs. In November 2024, voters approved two additional measures: a capital borrowing package for safety upgrades, roofing, and HVAC improvements, and another operational referendum to exceed the revenue limit through the end of the decade. These decisions mean the district has additional resources for both building improvements and day-to-day operations, with corresponding effects on local property taxes.
The district has also implemented a transition to standards-based grading for elementary and middle school levels, beginning in the 2023–2024 school year and with full adoption expected by 2025–2026. Report cards under this system use proficiency-based indicators aligned to Wisconsin Academic Standards rather than traditional letter grades, a change that families entering the school will encounter directly.
For a family considering Oaklawn Elementary, the school offers a setting in a community with a stable economy, access to higher education resources, and a downtown that is walkable and culturally active. The academic picture shows overall proficiency that stands favorably among Dunn County districts, with math results that are consistent across grades and fourth-grade science and social studies results that are a particular strength. The weaker area in fifth-grade English language arts is something a parent may want to ask the school about further. The recent district investments in facilities and operations, along with the shift to standards-based grading, represent significant developments that will shape the educational experience in the coming years.
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