School for Agricultural and Environmental Studies, Fox Lake WI

Original Research by School Decision on School for Agricultural and Environmental Studies

School for Agricultural and Environmental Studies is a public charter school in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, serving students from prekindergarten through sixth grade. It operates within the Waupun School District and is designated as a regular school, not a magnet or alternative program. The school draws its student body from a rural, lake-centered community in Dodge County.

The student population is small and predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with a notable proportion of lower-income families. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported; families seeking information on specialized supports would need to contact the school directly.

On the state's Forward assessments, the school's academic picture varies noticeably by grade level and subject. In mathematics, performance in the early tested grades was weaker, with a minority of students reaching the proficient level. By fifth and sixth grade, a large majority did meet that benchmark, representing a clear upward trend in the upper elementary years. English language arts results were more mixed. Proficiency rates hovered around the midpoint in most tested grades, with fifth grade showing the strongest outcome. Fourth-grade science also fell around the midpoint, while fourth-grade social studies had a solid share of students performing at or above the standard. Taken together across all subjects and grades tested, the school’s overall proficiency index placed it slightly below the middle when compared with other districts in Dodge County.

Because the school ends at sixth grade, there is no high school graduation data available. No chronic absenteeism or discipline figures were reported in the available records, nor were any program offerings such as specialized courses or extracurriculars detailed. The school’s name points toward an agricultural and environmental emphasis, but specific curriculum or themed programming was not documented in the data reviewed.

Fox Lake is a low-density, rural lake community. Life centers on the lake and surrounding agricultural land, with small resorts, eateries, and seasonal recreation. The Fox Lake Correctional Institution is a significant local employer. The built environment is car-dependent; there is no extended walkable commercial district. Home values in the area sit near national and state benchmarks, with moderate annual appreciation, and the housing market is relatively affordable compared to many parts of Wisconsin. The community appears stable—no major new housing developments or fast growth were identified in public records, nor were there recent district-level changes such as referendums or boundary shifts.

For a family considering this school, the key takeaway is a small, rural charter with a stated agricultural and environmental identity. Academically, mathematics performance strengthens markedly from third to sixth grade, while English language arts shows less consistent results. The student body is mostly white and includes a high share of families with economic need. The surrounding community is quiet, lake-oriented, and car-dependent, with modest home prices. The school’s size and grade span mean that students will transition to a different middle or high school after sixth grade—likely within the Waupun district. Parents who value a small, theme-focused elementary setting in a tight-knit rural area may find this school a strong fit, but those looking for detailed data on special education services, advanced coursework, or broader enrichment programs will need to seek that information directly from the school.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 339%

School 39% · District 50% · ▼ 11 pts below district

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 28 pts below county median

Grade 450%

School 50% · District 53% · ▼ 3 pts below district

▼ 4 pts below state median · ▼ 10 pts below county median

Grade 582%

School 82% · District 44% · ▲ 38 pts above district

▲ 31 pts above state median · ▲ 25 pts above county median

Grade 682%

School 82% · District 64% · ▲ 17 pts above district

▲ 28 pts above state median

English language arts

Grade 339%

School 39% · District 43% · ▼ 4 pts below district

▼ 14 pts below state median · ▼ 24 pts below county median

Grade 446%

School 46% · District 38% · ▲ 8 pts above district

▼ 7 pts below state median · ▼ 12 pts below county median

Grade 555%

School 55% · District 45% · ▲ 10 pts above district

▲ 4 pts above state median · ▲ 3 pts above county median

Grade 646%

School 46% · District 55% · ▼ 9 pts below district

▼ 8 pts below state median

Science

Grade 455%

School 55% · District 52% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▲ 3 pts above state median · even with county median

Social studies

Grade 468%

School 68% · District 69%

▲ 3 pts above state median · ▼ 2 pts below county median

This schoolWaupun School District, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 3Lower-income22%Higher-income56%33 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income33%Higher-income60%27 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 3Lower-income33%Higher-income44%11 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income33%Higher-income70%37 pp gap