- Darlington High — Grades 9–12 · 263 students
- Darlington Elementary/Middle — Grades PK–8 · 636 students
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| Metric | Darlington Community School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 900 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 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 | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington Community School District (this district) | 5/10 | 45th | 900 |
| Lodi School District | 8/10 | 76th | 1,491 |
| Deerfield Community School District | 7/10 | 66th | 751 |
| Middleton-Cross Plains School District | 10/10 | 91st | 7,263 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 426 rated districts in WI → 45th percentile → 5/10.
Source: Wisconsin DPI Forward Exam, grades 3–8 Meeting/Advanced, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Darlington Community School District
Families in zip code 53530 (Darlington, Wisconsin) are assigned to Darlington Community School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 5/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Darlington Community School District 5 out of 10 — 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 Wisconsin’s Forward Exam grades 3–8 assessments (2024–25 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.
Darlington Community School District falls near the middle of Wisconsin on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 53530
Children in zip code 53530 are assigned to Darlington Community School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 53530, 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 Darlington Community School District at (608)776-2006 or visit www.darlington.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 Darlington
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Darlington Community School District serves zip code 53530, homes in and around zip code 53530 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Darlington Community 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 53530.
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 Darlington Community School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 53530 data.