The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Math. The lowest is 66% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Walker Middle
Walker Middle School serves students in grades six through eight in Sturgeon Bay, on the Door County peninsula. The school sits connected to the high school, a layout that allows for shared facilities and a sense of continuity as students move up. The entire district underwent major renovations recently, funded through a capital referendum that touched every building including this one, so the physical environment has been upgraded across the board.
Academically, the school delivers strong results. On the Wisconsin Forward assessments, the proficiency rates are consistently at a high level across most grades and subjects. Math performance is particularly solid, with the large majority of students in each grade scoring proficient or above. English language arts also shows a clear strength, with a high share of students meeting the bar in sixth and seventh grades, and a still-solid share in eighth. In science, the eighth-grade result is comparable to that grade's ELA figure, and social studies proficiency is even higher. The overall picture is one of a middle school where most students are meeting state standards, and the school's composite proficiency index ranks above the midpoint among the five districts in Door County, a good sign for families comparing options within the area.
The student body is moderate in size for a middle school serving three grades. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a fair amount of economic diversity. Racially, the student population is predominantly white, with a notable Latino presence and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. Enrollment numbers for students with disabilities or English learners were not available in the data a parent may want to check directly with the school about those supports.
Sturgeon Bay itself is a place with a distinct mix of industries. The city is the county seat and sits on the bay, with a working port that supports shipbuilding and marine repair, a factory for food-service equipment, a Coast Guard station, and a tourism economy driven by the scenic Door Peninsula. Downtown along Third Avenue offers walkable shops and restaurants, and there are parks, a maritime museum, a theater, and a multi-use trail within the city. The population has been relatively stable. Housing costs in the area run above the national median, typical for a desirable lakefront region, so families moving in should expect a premium.
The district has also added program options in recent years. An elementary STEAM program is in place, and an Allied Arts program for eighth graders provides a specialized arts elective, though the available data did not specify whether those offerings are housed at Walker Middle or how widely they are available. A parent may want to ask the school about the specific courses and extracurriculars for middle schoolers, because the public record here is thin on details like course access, staffing ratios, and attendance patterns.
For a family considering this school, the core takeaway is that Walker Middle posts strong academic results across the board, with math standing out, and it sits in a district that has invested in its buildings and is expanding enrichment options. The community blends a working waterfront with a tourist-friendly downtown, offering a year-round residential feel. The school does not have a graduation rate because it serves only middle grades, and no disciplinary or chronic absenteeism data was available in these records. Overall, it appears to be a middle school well above average for the region, and a logical feeder into Sturgeon Bay High School.
See more original research from School Decision →