Zip code 53185 is not served by one district. An elementary district and a separate secondary district each cover this area, which is normal in this state — which one your child attends depends on their grade.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K–8 Elementary | Waterford Joint No. 1 School District 1,464 students · 4 schools | 9/10 |
| 9–12 Secondary | Waterford Union High School District 954 students · 1 school | 7/10 |
| Metric | Waterford Union High School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 954 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 1 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,800/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterford Union High School District (this district) | 7/10 | 67th | 954 |
| Big Foot Union High School District | NR | — | 456 |
| Waukesha School District | 7/10 | 64th | 11,855 |
| Kettle Moraine School District | 10/10 | 91st | 3,477 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 366 rated districts in WI → 67th percentile → 7/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2017–18 school year (most recent available for this district). Full methodology →
- Waterford High — Grades 9–12 · 889 students
About Waterford Union High School District
Zip code 53185 in Waterford Union, Wisconsin is served by Waterford Union High School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 8th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Waterford Union High School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Waterford Union High School District 7 out of 10 — above average among Wisconsin public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Wisconsin is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Waterford Union High School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Wisconsin. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 53185
Children in zip code 53185 are assigned to Waterford Union High School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 53185, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Waterford Union High School District at (262)534-9059 or visit www.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Wisconsin districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Waterford
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Waterford Union High School District serves zip code 53185, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 53185 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Wisconsin, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Waterford Union High School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 53185.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Waterford Union High School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 53185 data.