Innovations STEM Academy

Q: Is Innovations STEM Academy a good school?

Innovations STEM Academy ranks 170 th of 641 Wisconsin middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Innovations STEM Academy is a public charter middle school located in Sparta, Wisconsin, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 68 students. This school stands out as it consistently outperforms the Sparta Area School District and the state of Wisconsin in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels.

Innovations STEM Academy has been ranked among the top middle schools in Wisconsin, consistently placing in the top 50-170 out of over 600 middle schools in the state. The school has also maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for several years, indicating its exceptional performance. Additionally, the school has shown strong performance across different student subgroups, including female students, male students, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with rankings often in the top 100-200 middle schools in Wisconsin. Innovations STEM Academy has also maintained very low dropout rates and relatively low chronic absenteeism rates compared to the surrounding schools, such as Tomah Middle and Sparta Meadowview Middle.

The success of Innovations STEM Academy is particularly noteworthy given the relatively low performance of the Sparta Area School District as a whole, which is ranked 348 out of 428 districts in Wisconsin and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's consistent academic excellence, exceptional rankings, and equitable performance across student subgroups suggest that it could serve as a model for other schools, particularly those in underperforming districts, to replicate its STEM-focused curriculum and teaching practices to improve student outcomes.

Detail:

Public, Charter 6-8

1225 N Water St
Sparta, WI 54656

(608) 366-3497

District: Sparta Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
170^th of 641 Wisconsin Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,232

Student/teacher ratio: 16.2

Number of students: 88

Racial breakdown:

White:

80.7%

Hispanic:

10.2%

African American:

3.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 3.4%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Innovations STEM Academy ranks better than 73.5% of middle schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 70.65. (See more...)

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (80.7%), Hispanic (10.2%), African American (3.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 3.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Innovations STEM Academy is 16.2. (See more...)

Compare Innovations STEM Academy employs 5.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Innovations STEM Academy is $8,232.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Innovations STEM Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Innovations STEM Academy 170^th of 641 Wisconsin public middle schools. (See Innovations STEM Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Sparta Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Sparta Area School District 348^th of 428 Wisconsin school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Innovations STEM Academy

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Rank History for all students at Innovations STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2017	85.73	46^th	612	92.5%
2018	83.20	57^th	579	90.2%
2019	86.09	43^rd	594	92.8%
2021	88.88	32^nd	613	94.8%
2022	92.37	24^th	617	96.1%
2023	86.85	51^st	640	92.0%
2024	70.65	170^th	641	73.5%

See the entire list of Wisconsin Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Innovations STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2021	81.15	29^th	499	94.2%
2023	67.97	106^th	525	79.8%
2024	68.65	111^th	520	78.7%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Innovations STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2018	74.95	89^th	551	83.8%
2019	74.98	102^nd	557	81.7%
2021	82.33	59^th	574	89.7%
2022	89.54	29^th	576	95.0%
2023	83.26	62^nd	579	89.3%
2024	66.69	191^st	580	67.1%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Innovations STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2018	87.44	33^rd	551	94.0%
2019	89.93	23^rd	557	95.9%
2021	91.01	16^th	572	97.2%
2022	92.16	20^th	577	96.5%
2023	86.14	48^th	591	91.9%
2024	73.07	129^th	585	77.9%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Innovations STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	31.24	299^th	407	26.5%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Innovations STEM Academy

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Two or More Races	Total
2015	40	0	1	5	0	0	46
2016	53	1	1	5	0	0	60
2017	53	1	0	4	0	1	59
2018	54	2	0	3	0	1	60
2019	55	2	0	3	0	0	60
2020	52	2	0	6	0	0	60
2021	51	3	0	7	0	0	61
2022	55	0	0	7	0	1	63
2023	58	1	0	7	0	2	68
2024	71	3	1	9	1	3	88

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Innovations STEM Academy

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2015	46	n/a	n/a	37
2016	60	4.0	15.0	41.7
2017	59	4.0	14.6	25.4
2018	60	4.0	15.0	13.3
2019	60	4.0	15.0	16.7
2020	60	4.0	15.0	16.7
2021	61	3.0	20.3	18
2022	63	4.0	15.7	9.5
2023	68	4.4	15.1	26.5
2024	88	5.4	16.2	3.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Innovations STEM Academy

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2015	46	n/a	n/a	37
2016	60	4.0	15.0	41.7
2017	59	4.0	14.6	25.4
2018	60	4.0	15.0	13.3
2019	60	4.0	15.0	16.7
2020	60	4.0	15.0	16.7
2021	61	3.0	20.3	18
2022	63	4.0	15.7	9.5
2023	68	4.4	15.1	26.5
2024	88	5.4	16.2	3.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Innovations STEM Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$221 (2.4%)	$8,898 (97.6%)	$9,119
2020	$235 (2.4%)	$9,469 (97.6%)	$9,702
2021	$436 (5.3%)	$7,796 (94.7%)	$8,232

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Innovations STEM Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 43^rd of 594 Middle schools	Ranks 51^st of 640 Middle schools	0.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Innovations STEM Academy)	55	50	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta Area School District)	28.6	33	4.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	41.7	40.6	1.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Innovations STEM Academy)	65	60	5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Sparta Area School District)	28.9	23.5	5.4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	43.5	42.6	0.9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Innovations STEM Academy)	57.9	70	12.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta Area School District)	32.6	36.2	3.6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	45.5	41.1	4.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Innovations STEM Academy)	47.4	50	2.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Sparta Area School District)	22.7	23.2	0.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	39.7	35.7	4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Innovations STEM Academy)	66.7	68	1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta Area School District)	30.5	31.3	0.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	37.3	37.8	0.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Innovations STEM Academy)	52.4	48	4.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Sparta Area School District)	27	27.5	0.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	36.5	31.8	4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Innovations STEM Academy)	90.5	80	10.5%
8th Grade Social Studies (Sparta Area School District)	45.5	50.5	5%
8th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)	52.1	59.2	7.1%
8th Grade Science (Innovations STEM Academy)	95.2	88	7.2%
8th Grade Science (Sparta Area School District)	46.5	46.1	0.4%
8th Grade Science (Wisconsin)	54.6	49.4	5.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	60	68	13.3%
African American	2	1	50%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	3	7	133.3%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	55	58	5.5%
Two or More Races	0	2
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	16.7%	26.5%	9.8%

Schools Near Innovations STEM Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Forward Exam English Language Arts (2024)				Forward Exam Mathematics (2024)				Forward Exam Social Studies (2024)	Forward Exam Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2021)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Forward Exam English Language Arts 5th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 6th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 7th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 8th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 5th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 6th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 7th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 8th Grade	Forward Exam Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sparta Meadowview Middle	Public	5-8	1225 N Water St	Sparta	54656	Monroe County	Sparta Area School District	No	No	No	Yes	(608) 366-3497	706	65	10.8	50.4%	515 (72.9%)	10 (1.4%)	145 (20.5%)	8 (1.1%)	6 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	21 (3.0%)	31	487^th of 641 public middle schools	24.0%		30.8	469^th of 640 public middle schools	26.7%	18	45.8	47.8	34.1	42.0	30.2	36.3	36.3	47.5	49.7	34.8	$14,499	$1,392	$13,107
Innovations STEM Academy	Public, Charter	6-8	1225 N Water St	Sparta	54656	Monroe County	Sparta Area School District	Yes	No	No	No	(608) 366-3497	88	5	16.2	3.4%	71 (80.7%)	3 (3.4%)	9 (10.2%)	1 (1.1%)	1 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.4%)	70.7	170^th of 641 public middle schools	73.5%		86.8	51^st of 640 public middle schools	92.0%	119		50.0	46.2	74.1		56.7	61.5	77.8	77.8	81.5	$8,232	$436	$7,796
West Salem Middle	Public	5-8	440 East Ave	West Salem	54669	La Crosse County	West Salem School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 786-2090	549	40	13.7	27.0%	508 (92.5%)	8 (1.5%)	14 (2.6%)	4 (0.7%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.2%)	80.2	88^th of 641 public middle schools	86.3%		76.5	108^th of 640 public middle schools	83.1%	20	73.1	69.8	68.5	66.4	57.7	75.2	72.7	72.5	78.6	56.5	$11,637	$392	$11,245
Tomah Middle	Public	6-8	612 Hollister Ave	Tomah	54660	Monroe County	Tomah Area School District	No	No	No	No	(608) 374-7885	681	47	14.4	45.5%	559 (82.1%)	14 (2.1%)	39 (5.7%)	8 (1.2%)	16 (2.3%)	2 (0.3%)	43 (6.3%)	32	482^nd of 641 public middle schools	24.8%		38.5	423^rd of 640 public middle schools	33.9%	59		47.8	43.5	36.9		38.9	41.3	48.6	43.0	32.7	$10,836	$761	$10,075

Frequently Asked Questions about Innovations STEM Academy

How many students attend Innovations STEM Academy?

In the 2023-24 school year, 88 students attended Innovations STEM Academy.

What district is Innovations STEM Academy in?

Sparta Area School District

Is Innovations STEM Academy a good school?

Innovations STEM Academy ranks 170^th of 641 Wisconsin middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Innovations STEM Academy?

Students at Innovations STEM Academy are 81% White, 10% Hispanic, 3% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.