Eight Wisconsin Schools Named Blue Ribbon Winners

The state has recognized eight local campuses for excellence in student achievement and narrowing performance gaps.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Secondary Education

Eight Wisconsin Schools Named Blue Ribbon Winners

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The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has honored eight schools across the state with the 2026 Blue Ribbon School designation. These institutions were selected based on their commitment to high academic standards and their success in reducing performance disparities among student groups.

Why it matters

This recognition identifies schools that have demonstrated specific effectiveness in either student assessment scores or equity-focused programming. Understanding these benchmarks can help parents evaluate school performance within their local district.

The eight winning schools represent a mix of high-performing campuses and those recognized for narrowing achievement gaps. This group includes Dunwiddie Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Wauzeka Elementary, Prairie View Elementary, Little Chute Middle, Oostburg High, Fall Creek High, and Grantsburg Elementary.

The players

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

The state agency responsible for overseeing Wisconsin public schools and administering state-level educational recognition programs.

The details

High Performing Schools earn their designation by ranking among the top tier of campuses statewide based on student assessment scores. Gap Closing Schools are honored for successfully narrowing the performance disparity between specific student subgroups and the overall student body over time. These metrics provide a standardized way to measure both academic excellence and equitable progress across the Wisconsin school system.

October 12, 2026: The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced the honorees.

The Home Front

State-level recognition follows the framework of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program which identifies top-tier institutions. These designations are frequently used by families to track trends in local district performance and academic quality.

Check if your local school district was included in this year's list to understand how these metrics correlate with recent campus improvements. Families moving to the area can use these designations as a reference point when reviewing district performance records.

The takeaway

The Blue Ribbon distinction highlights how Wisconsin schools are prioritizing both high achievement and student equity. Parents can use this announcement to research how their child's school compares to these benchmarks and whether new programs have been implemented to bridge achievement gaps.