Jefferson Elementary

Jefferson Elementary is one of the average-sized elementary schools in Janesville, Wisconsin, overseen by Janesville School District, with 293 students on its rolls from grades pre-K through 5.

Within Janesville School District, which oversees 22 schools and 9,355 students, Jefferson Elementary is one campus in the system.

Demographically, Jefferson Elementary lists that the largest single group is White, at 68% of enrollment. Other groups include 18% Hispanic, 6% Black, 6% multiracial. That is noticeably less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 82%.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Jefferson Elementary reports 28 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 10.4:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 14.7:1, putting Jefferson Elementary tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 62% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy. That share is noticeably above Rock County's rate of about 47%.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Jefferson Elementary sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 39.3%; this one delivers 50.5%.

In the area at large, ACS estimates for Rock County put median household income runs about $75,673, 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 6%. In all, Rock County runs 65 public schools (combined enrollment of about 25,542 students), of which Jefferson Elementary is one.

The closest other public school is Adams Elementary, roughly 0.9 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. On composite proficiency, Jefferson Elementary comes 6th of 8 in the immediate cluster, below the nearby-schools average of 58.7%.

The school occupies a city-core site.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count declined 11%: 330 students in 2018 compared to 293 in 2025. Class-load math has narrowed: from 11.5:1 in 2018 to 10.4:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, recent activity here tends to focus on classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.