The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Social studies. The lowest is 66% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Oostburg Elementary
Oostburg Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in a regular public school setting. It is one of three schools in the Oostburg School District and sits within a small, primarily residential village in Sheboygan County. With an enrollment that is moderate for an elementary school serving seven grade levels, the school feels neither overcrowded nor tiny. The student body is predominantly white, with a modest Hispanic presence and small numbers of Asian and multiracial students. About one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a share that is on the lower side for the county and suggests a generally middle-income peer environment.
On state assessments, Oostburg Elementary performs above the midpoint among districts in Sheboygan County when looking across all tested subjects and grades. The Wisconsin Forward exams for grades three through five show a pattern of solid proficiency in math, with the strongest results in fifth grade. English language arts scores are similarly strong, with fourth and fifth grade proficiency rates notably high. Science and social studies are assessed only in fourth grade, and both subjects show results that align with the overall positive picture. The school’s participation rates on these tests are uniformly high, meaning the results give a reliable view of student achievement. Families considering the school can expect a learning environment where most students meet or exceed grade-level standards, though a parent may want to inquire about how the school supports students who are not yet proficient, as that data is not broken down further here.
The village of Oostburg itself is a small, car-dependent community with a sparse suburban feel. Most residents own their homes, and the village’s Dutch heritage is visible in details like miniature windmills and an annual Heritage Day celebration. Housing values in the area sit roughly in line with the Wisconsin state median, making it a moderately priced market relative to the rest of the state. The village has grown steadily over the decades but remains small in population and built environment. The school campus is located within the village, and given its compact size, all three district schools are likely within easy reach of each other and the village center.
The district has made several recent changes relevant to current and prospective families. In 2022, voters approved a capital referendum to fund facility improvements across all three schools, including security upgrades, HVAC replacements, roofing, and classroom renovations. Construction began that summer and has been ongoing. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, the district expanded its four-year-old kindergarten program to include a full-day option and introduced a Junior Kindergarten class for children who may benefit from an additional developmental year before traditional kindergarten. The district has also shifted to standards-based grading in elementary and middle school, moving away from traditional letter grades to focus on mastery of specific learning standards. Additionally, the district adopted new literacy curriculum resources aligned with the science of reading, a change that reflects a broader statewide push toward evidence-based reading instruction.
For a family, Oostburg Elementary offers a straightforward academic pathway in a small-town setting where most students perform well on state tests. The school’s size means children will likely know their classmates across grades. The community is homogenous in background, with limited racial and economic diversity, and the surrounding village offers a quiet, residential atmosphere. The district’s recent investments in facilities and early childhood options signal an active administration. A parent with a child entering pre-kindergarten or kindergarten will find choices for both half-day and full-day 4K, as well as the new Junior Kindergarten option. The shift to standards-based grading means that report cards will focus on skill mastery rather than overall letter grades, which is a deliberate pedagogical choice that families should understand and be comfortable with.
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