Two Southeast Wisconsin elementary schools earn national ESEA distinction for gains in student achievement

National recognition highlights student achievement gains at Title I schools

Two elementary schools serving large shares of economically disadvantaged students in Southeast Wisconsin have been recognized nationally for improvement in student achievement under the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program.

James Madison Elementary School in Sheboygan was named a 2024 National ESEA Distinguished School, a designation reserved for a small group of schools nationwide. The school was recognized for “extraordinary success in improving student achievement” and for excellence in serving special populations of students. James Madison reported that nearly 30% of its students have disabilities, more than 70% come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and just over 20% are English learners.

Separately, Parkside School in the Wautoma Area School District received a National ESEA Distinguished School honor for 2023. The selection was tied to the school’s work serving special populations of students, including homeless students, migrant students and English learners. The school was scheduled to be honored during a national ESEA conference in February 2024.

How the ESEA Distinguished Schools program works

The National ESEA Distinguished Schools initiative is administered by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators and is designed to recognize schools that use federal ESEA funds to strengthen outcomes for students who face greater barriers to academic success.

States nominate schools, and the program’s criteria are typically organized into categories focused on sustained performance, closing achievement gaps, or excellence in serving special populations such as English learners, homeless students, or migrant students. The recognition is tied to measurable indicators used in school accountability systems and student outcome trends rather than one-time events.

State report cards and local strategies cited by districts

In Sheboygan, James Madison’s recognition coincided with high state accountability results. The school reported being rated “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” on Wisconsin’s state report card for two consecutive years, and described a schoolwide focus on student growth supported by data-driven teacher collaboration. The district also said Title I funding supported additional interventionists and dedicated daily intervention time in reading and math.

In Wautoma, Parkside and another district school, Riverview Elementary, were later named Wisconsin Schools of Recognition for the 2023–24 school year in the “High Impact” category. That state designation is used for Title I schools that show strong academic outcomes, measurable student growth and evidence of narrowing achievement gaps, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

• James Madison Elementary School (Sheboygan): 2024 National ESEA Distinguished School; recognized for improving achievement and serving special populations.
• Parkside School (Wautoma Area School District): 2023 National ESEA Distinguished School; recognized for work with special populations including homeless, migrant and English learners.

The shared thread across the recognitions is the emphasis on measurable progress for students facing higher levels of need, paired with targeted academic supports funded through federal and state programs.

Both recognitions arrive as Wisconsin continues to spotlight Title I schools showing above-average results compared with peers that serve similar student populations, underscoring the role of sustained growth, consistent attendance, and targeted intervention time in accountability outcomes.