4 Green Bay Schools Honored for Academic Excellence

Four elementary schools near Green Bay are proving that zip code doesn't determine destiny.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction honored the schools April 21 as "Schools of Recognition" for outstanding student achievement during the 2024-25 school year. Two schools in De Pere and two in Green Bay made the cut from just 95 schools recognized statewide.

Dickinson Elementary and Susie C. Altmayer Elementary in the De Pere School District both ranked as high achieving schools. That means they placed in the top 10% of all Wisconsin schools for academic performance.

Green Bay's Chappell Elementary and Lincoln Elementary earned recognition as high impact schools. These schools posted above average test scores while serving large numbers of students from low-income families.

To qualify for any recognition category, schools had to receive Title I funding, which supports schools with high poverty rates. They also needed to meet or exceed state report card expectations and hit benchmarks for attendance, achievement, and test participation.

Why This Inspires

These four schools are showing what's possible when educators refuse to accept that economic hardship equals educational failure. Their success proves that smart teaching strategies and dedicated staff can help every student reach their potential.

The high impact designation is especially meaningful because it celebrates schools that are closing opportunity gaps in real time. Students at Chappell and Lincoln are outperforming economic predictions about their success.

Meanwhile, Dickinson and Altmayer Elementary are achieving excellence across the board, ranking among the state's very best elementary schools.

None of the local schools received multiple recognition categories, but earning even one distinction puts them in elite company. Only 95 schools out of hundreds statewide made this year's list.

These wins matter for more than just bragging rights. Recognition like this can boost teacher morale, attract resources, and prove to students that their hard work is paying off in measurable ways.

Four schools, four different paths to excellence, one shared message: every student deserves a chance to shine.