School Type: School Directory Public Portal
This data element provides descriptions for the available types of schools: elementary, combined elementary and secondary, middle, junior high, or high school.
Grades are defined in §115.01(2). The educational work of the public schools is divided into four-year-old kindergarten, five-year-old kindergarten, and 12 additional grades numbered from one to 12 beginning with grade one being the lowest and grade 12 being the highest.
USES: This data element is part of the School Directory, used to provide detailed information about schools in Wisconsin.
| School Type | School Type Description | School Type Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Elementary School | The first eight grades are the elementary grades. Where reference is made to “elementary grades", the reference includes kindergarten, where applicable. |
| 7 | Combined Elementary and Secondary School | A school combined of some Elementary school and secondary (middle, junior and/or high school). |
| 5 | Middle School | A middle school is a school in which grades 5 to 8 are taught. |
| 4 | Junior High School | A junior high school is a school in which grades 7 to 9 are taught. |
| 3 | High School | The last four grades are the high school grades. A senior high school is a school in which grades 10 to 12 are taught. |
FAQs, Details, and Points to Note
- State statute defines the parameters for public schools. However, there are many more types of schools besides public schools (e.g., private school, tribal schools, independent charter schools...). Non-public schools do not tie directly to the school types described in §115.01(2). DPI uses the school type guidance to help all schools use the most appropriate school type.
- For more information on grade levels, please visit the Grade Level Placement data element page.
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