We have deemed the Wisconsin high school graduation rate as meaningless in determining a school district’s rating for this research. The problem is the ‘Alternate Graduation Program.’ This is explained later on this site.

For comparison graduation rates from Minnesota, that do not have an Alternate Graduation Program, have been provided.

For purposes of this graph and table, students enrolled in free or reduced-price lunches are considered lower-income, while those who are not enrolled are considered higher-income. Households with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty guidelines (about $47,964 annually for a family of four in 2019 https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-poverty-thresholds.html ) may qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. All eligible children may not be enrolled.

.	Impoverished	Graduation %
Source	DPI	US News
New Richmond	26.2	88
River Falls	21.4	97
Hudson	15.2	97
Osceola	27.6	94
Amery	38.3	91
St. Croix Central	32.4	95
St. Croix Falls	32.4	97
Baldwin-Woodville	23.9	96
Prescott	16.5	95
Ellsworth	28	98
Statewide Average
Somerset	23.7	98

Scientists have determined that the achievement gap is caused by poverty. Comparing graduation rates between the targeted group in Wisconsin and Minnesota shows a significant difference.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Challenges-for-Wisconsin_-School-Finance-Vouchers