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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Wisconsin Alternative Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 alternative public charter schools serving 1,092 students in Wisconsin.
The top-ranked alternative public charter schools in Wisconsin are Mckinley Charter School, Norris Academy Virtual School and North Star Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wisconsin alternative public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Wisconsin public charter school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 17% (versus the 32% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public charter school average of 54% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Alternative Public Charter Schools in Wisconsin (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mckinley Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1266 Mckinley Rd
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 852-6900
Gr: 6-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Norris Academy Virtual School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
W247s10395 Center Dr
Mukwonago, WI 53149
(262) 662-5911
Gr: K-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
North Star Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
700 S 1st St
Cameron, WI 54822
(715) 458-4560
Gr: 9-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 38:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Sparta Alternative Independent Learning School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
900 East Montgomery St
Sparta, WI 54656
(608) 366-3400
Gr: 9-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #55.
New Horizons For Learning
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1701 E Capitol Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 963-6921
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Merrill Adult Diploma Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1004 E 1st Street
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-1431
Gr: 11-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #77.
Catalyst Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
709 S Shawano St
New London, WI 54961
(920) 982-8686
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
Enrich Excel Achieve Learning Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2607 N 18th St
Wausau, WI 54403
(715) 261-2490
Gr: 6-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Insight School Of Wisconsin High School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4721 Dale-curtin
Mc Farland, WI 53558
(608) 838-9482
Gr: 9-12 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Waukesha East Alternative School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1150 Whiterock Ave
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 970-4355
Gr: 6-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1111.
Mckinley Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1002 E Cedar Ave
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 686-4700
Gr: 1-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1212.
Rock River Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
31 W Milwaukee St
Janesville, WI 53548
(608) 752-8273
Gr: 9-12 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
Exploration Charter High School
Alternative School
Charter School
325 Mckinley St
Fond Du Lac, WI 54937
(920) 929-3740
Gr: 9-11 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: n/an/a
Partner Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
1000 Us 14 West
Richland Center, WI 53581
(608) 647-6106
Gr: 8-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public charter schools in Wisconsin?
The top-ranked alternative public charter schools in Wisconsin include Mckinley Charter School, Norris Academy Virtual School and North Star Academy.
How many alternative public charter schools are located in Wisconsin?
15 alternative public charter schools are located in Wisconsin.
What is the racial composition of students in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin alternative public charter schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public charter schools average of 54% (majority Hispanic and Black).

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