The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in Math. The lowest is 42% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Oconto Elementary
Oconto Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in the city of Oconto, a small county seat on the Bay of Green Bay. The school is part of the Oconto Unified School District and serves a predominantly white student body, with a modest share of Hispanic, multiracial, and small numbers of Black and Native American students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic profile of a community where manufacturing, food processing, and tourism anchor the local economy.
Because the school only covers the early elementary grades, there is no graduation rate or chronic absenteeism data to report. State testing is administered in grades three and four. In third grade, proficiency rates in math and English language arts were on par with each other, but in fourth grade the rate dropped in both subjects. Science and social studies, tested only in fourth grade, also showed proficiency rates below the third-grade levels in ELA and math. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Oconto County. The pattern of lower fourth-grade results is something a parent may want to look into further with the school, as it could reflect curriculum shifts, cohort differences, or other local factors.
The district has seen two recent referenda that speak to community investment in schools. In 2023, voters approved a recurring revenue limit increase to support ongoing operations, including staff compensation and educational programming. In 2024, a capital referendum passed to fund facility upgrades such as safety improvements, roofing, and HVAC work. These votes signal sustained public backing for the district’s budget and physical plant, though they also carry long-term property tax impacts.
The city of Oconto itself has a compact historic downtown of roughly thirty-five square blocks, split by the Oconto River, with civic buildings, museums, and small businesses concentrated on Main Street. Daily life is car-dependent for most errands beyond the core, though the downtown area is walkable. Home values in the area are below the state median, and the local unemployment rate has been steady near the national average. Population growth has been slow and stable, maintaining a small-town feel. Civic anchors include Copper Culture State Park, the Beyer Home and Carriage Museum, and waterfront parks along the bay.
The school’s setting is integrated into the community rather than on a separate campus, with other district schools also located within the city. Participation on state assessments was complete, meaning nearly all enrolled students in tested grades took the exams, which strengthens the reliability of the reported results.
In sum, Oconto Elementary is a small, community-grounded early elementary school serving a student body with economic diversity. Academic results are mixed, with stronger performance in grade three than in grade four, and the school’s overall proficiency is among the lower tier when compared with other districts in the county. The district has recently secured additional funding for both operations and capital improvements, indicating sustained local support. For a family considering this school, the key considerations are the early grade band, the modest size of the community, and the variable test results that merit a closer conversation with the school about instructional approach and support structures.
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