#1 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
University Lake School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Hartland
Hartland, WI
A+Overall grade212 students5 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Wisconsin. Top 18 of 18 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Eagle School of Madison
Independent school · Grades K–8
The largest independent school in Madison
Madison, WI
A+Overall grade243 students8 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Wayland Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only independent school in Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam, WI
AOverall grade192 students8 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Prairie School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Racine
Racine, WI
AOverall grade575 students6 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Wingra School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Smaller classes than 69% of independent schools in Wisconsin
Madison, WI
AOverall grade112 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Madison Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Wisconsin
Waunakee, WI
AOverall grade432 students7 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Tamarack Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Milwaukee since at least 2011
Milwaukee, WI
B+Overall grade191 students12 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Youth Initiative High School
Independent school · Grades 9–12
Growing: enrollment up 76% since 2011–12
Viroqua, WI
B+Overall grade67 students6 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Malaika Early Learning Center
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–3
Growing: enrollment up 42% since 2011–12
Milwaukee, WI
B+Overall grade68 students8 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Hickory Hill Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 6 independent schools in Madison
Madison, WI
BOverall grade135 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Prairie Hill Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Pewaukee
Pewaukee, WI
BOverall grade172 students12 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Evergreen Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 81% since 2015–16
Mount Pleasant, WI
BOverall grade400 students13 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Viroqua since at least 2011
Viroqua, WI
BOverall grade144 students9 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Transcenter for Youth/El Puente High
Independent school · Grades 9–12
One of 6 independent schools in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
B-Overall grade107 students15 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Indian Community School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Franklin
Franklin, WI
B-Overall grade332 students10 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
The Prairie School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 34 independent schools in Wisconsin
Wind Point, WI
B-Overall grade578 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
City School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 25% since 2019–20
Milwaukee, WI
B-Overall grade182 students23 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Wisconsin
Atlas Preparatory Academy High School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The largest independent school in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
B-Overall grade412 students15 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.