School District of Onalaska

What School District of Onalaska does

The School District of Onalaska is a Wisconsin public school district serving approximately 2,906 students across a 14+ square mile geographic boundary in Western Wisconsin between the Coulee Region bluffs and Lake Onalaska. Founded in 1890, the district operates three PK-5 elementary schools (Eagle Bluff, Irving Pertzsch, Northern Hills), one middle school (6-8), and one high school (9-12), plus the recently launched Onalaska Online Academy (K-8, tuition-free, statewide). Service scope encompasses birth-through-adult programming including 4K preschool, multilingual learner support for ~150 students, enrichment across five giftedness domains, special education from age 3 to 21, an ONAbility transition program for adults 18+, school nutrition with Farm2School sourcing, before/after care partnerships, and transportation via Go Riteway.

The district's technology stack is standard K-12 administrative software rather than a proprietary platform. Skyward serves as the student information system for enrollment, family access, and employee timekeeping; Finalsite powers the website and communications; RevTrak processes student payments; Google Workspace supports internal collaboration; and Go Riteway's eLink portal and Here Comes the Bus app provide bus routing and GPS tracking. The district is transitioning to a new SIS for the 2026-2027 school year. No AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or proprietary technology differentiated from peer districts are disclosed.

The district's revenue model is tax-and-aid funded rather than commercial. Annual operating budget is $53 million, sourced from local property tax levies, Wisconsin state aid through the DPI funding formula, and federal grants (Title I, IDEA, and other programs). Supplemental revenue streams include student meal fees, facility rental fees, inter-district open-enrollment tuition, and community philanthropy (e.g., Dahl Subaru $15,000, Burlington Inc. $5,000, Eagle Bluff Walk & Roll $26,000). Capital projects are funded through voter-approved referendums, most recently a $75 million package in November 2022 for middle and high school renovations completing in fall 2025. The district is governed by a seven-member elected Board of Education and operated by Superintendent Ben Barton.

Name

School District of Onalaska

Legal name

School District of Onalaska

Website

https://onalaskaschools.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The School District of Onalaska is a Wisconsin public school district serving approximately 2,906 students across five traditional schools and a new online K-8 academy, with a $53 million operating budget funded by property taxes, state aid, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• School district services
• Elementary secondary education
• Special education programs
• School nutrition services

Headquarters

HQ city

Onalaska

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenues: Local property tax levies approved by voters through operational and capital referendums form the primary local revenue source. Most recently, taxpayers supported a $75 million referendum in November 2022 for facilities renovations.
2. State Aid: State of Wisconsin general aid and categorical aids distributed through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction funding formula.
3. Federal Funding: Federal grants and programs including Title I, IDEA special education funding, and other federal education program allocations.
4. Student Meal Fees: Revenue from student breakfast and lunch purchases, with reduced-price and free meals provided per federal guidelines. Additional revenue from a la carte milk and second entrees.
5. Facility Rental Fees: Rental fees collected from community groups using school facilities under Board Policy fee schedules (Groups I through V classifications).
6. Open Enrollment Tuition: Inter-district open enrollment revenue received when resident district pays tuition for non-resident students attending through the state open enrollment program.
7. Community Donations & Philanthropy: Annual philanthropic support from community including corporate donations (e.g., Dahl Subaru $15,000 donation, Burlington Inc. $5,000 donation) and fundraising events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The School District of Onalaska is a Wisconsin public school district providing comprehensive K-12 education to approximately 2,906 students across five traditional schools (three PK-5 elementary schools, one 6-8 middle school, and one 9-12 high school) plus a new tuition-free online K-8 academy. The district delivers academic instruction, enrichment programs, special education, school nutrition, transportation, mental health services, and co-curricular activities.

Product overview

The School District of Onalaska operates as a unified K-12 educational institution offering comprehensive academic programs across five traditional schools (three PK-5 elementary schools, one 6-8 middle school, and one 9-12 high school) serving approximately 2,900 students. The district's product portfolio centers on core K-12 educational programming enhanced by specialized offerings including the Onalaska Online Academy (a tuition-free online K-8 program), ONAbility transition services for students 18+, enrichment/gifted programming, multilingual learner support, and 4K preschool. Supporting services include school nutrition (breakfast, lunch, summer feeding with Farm2School initiatives), transportation (via Go Riteway partnership), before/after school care, and summer school programs. The district's website and communications are powered by Finalsite, with student information managed through Skyward and payments processed via RevTrak.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Onalaska Online Academy: A tuition-free online public school for K-8 students in Wisconsin.
• ONAbility
• Onalaska Hilltoppers

Products and services

• K-12 Educational Programs Comprehensive K-12 education across five schools including Eagle Bluff Elementary, Irving Pertzsch Elementary, Northern Hills Elementary (PK-5), Onalaska Middle School (6-8), and Onalaska High School (9-12), serving approximately 2,906 students with academic curriculum, AP courses, dual credit programs, and career readiness.
• Onalaska Online Academy A tuition-free online public school serving K-8 students across Wisconsin, providing an alternative educational option for families seeking flexible or home-based learning.
• ONAbility Transition Program Life and job readiness program for students ages 18+ with disabilities, providing transition services to support independent living and employment skills. Includes the Adaptive Sports League offering three seasons of adapted sports for students with IEPs.
• 4K Preschool Program Four-year-old kindergarten program providing early childhood education at multiple early learning locations throughout the district, serving 176 early learning students.
• Multilingual Learners (ML) Program English language support services for approximately 150 multilingual learners, delivered by certified ML staff in the least restrictive environment based on individual student needs.
• Enrichment Program Systematic gifted and talented programming identifying strengths in all students across five giftedness domains: general intellectual, specific academic, creativity, leadership, and visual/performing arts.
• School Nutrition Services Comprehensive food service program including breakfast, lunch, and summer feeding programs, with Farm2School initiatives connecting local food sources to school meals, and free/reduced meal applications per federal guidelines.
• Transportation Services Student transportation via partnership with Go Riteway, providing bus services for eligible students living 2+ miles from school or in hazardous walking zones, with GPS tracking through Here Comes the Bus app.
• Before and After School Care Childcare services provided through partnerships with local organizations including the co-located Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, offering supervised care before and after regular school hours for working families.
• Summer School Programs Extended learning opportunities during summer months, including academic enrichment, credit recovery, and skill development programs for students across all grade levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% high school graduation rate (Class of 2024)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Go RitewaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGo Riteway is the district's contracted transportation provider for student busing. They manage bus routes (accessible via eLink portal), GPS tracking through Here Comes the Bus app, and bus badge systems. Bus eligibility: students living 2+ miles from school or in certified hazardous walking zones. The district employs Go Riteway for transportation operations with a $75 million referendum funding supporting facilities improvements.
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater La CrossecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse has a partnered space within the newly renovated Onalaska Middle School, part of the $75 million referendum-funded construction project. This co-located facility provides after-school and youth programming alongside the school.
• La Crosse County Health Department - Foot Steps to Health InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district participates in the Farm2School program as part of the Harvest of the Month partnership, which is a collaboration between La Crosse County Health Department's Foot Steps to Health initiative, the La Crosse County Farm2School Program, area school districts, and the community. Funding provided by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health from the Wisconsin Partnership Program.
• Dahl SubaruminorOthersDahl Subaru donated $15,000 to Northern Hills Elementary in 2024 for classroom supplies and other school needs. This philanthropic donation supports the district's academic programming.
• Burlington Inc.minorOthersBurlington Inc. donated $5,000 to Irving Pertzsch Elementary for teacher needs. This philanthropic donation supports the elementary school's instructional resources.
• Eagle Bluff Elementary Families/CommunityminorOthersEagle Bluff Elementary's annual 'Walk & Roll' fundraising event raised $26,000 in 2024 for specific school needs, demonstrating strong community philanthropic support for the district.
• Bridging Brighter SmilesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridging Brighter Smiles is a dental health program partner that provides school-based dental services to district students. The district provides facilities access for this program to support student health.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Wisconsin Connections Academy: Statewide tuition-free online public K-12 program authorized in Wisconsin. Directly comparable to Onalaska Online Academy as a competing virtual school option for the same K-8 student segment.
• eAchieve Academy (Waukesha): Tuition-free online public K-12 school operated by Waukesha School District. Comparable statewide reach and virtual K-12 model that competes with Onalaska Online Academy for Wisconsin online families.

Direct peers

• Tomah Area School District: Mid-sized Wisconsin public K-12 district in western Wisconsin. Comparable enrollment scale (~2,500-3,000 students) and similar rural-suburban demographic profile, making it a useful scale and operational peer.
• Sun Prairie Area School District: Wisconsin public K-12 district east of Madison. Similar operating scale, comprehensive programming, and reputation-driven open-enrollment dynamics as a comparable Wisconsin district.
• Stevens Point Area School District: Wisconsin public K-12 district serving a similar-sized mid-market city. Comparable enrollment scale, comprehensive PK-12 programming, and comparable mix of public funding streams.
• La Crosse School District: Closest geographic peer — Wisconsin public K-12 district serving the adjacent city of La Crosse in La Crosse County. Directly competes with School District of Onalaska for open-enrolled students, given shared regional labor market and family geography.
• West Salem School District: Nearby Wisconsin public K-12 district in La Crosse County. Comparable suburban/rural mix and a direct competitor for open-enrollment families in the Coulee Region.
• Hudson School District: Wisconsin public K-12 district in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities metro. Comparable demographic profile, similar small-geographic-footprint district characteristics, and competition for boundary and open-enrolled families.
• Holmen School District: Neighboring Wisconsin public K-12 district in La Crosse County. Similar suburban-district profile and competes with Onalaska for open-enrolled students from overlapping residential zones.

Others

• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: State-level regulatory and funding authority overseeing all Wisconsin public K-12 districts including Onalaska. Not a competitor, but the primary regulatory counterpart, accountability-rating issuer, and channel for state aid.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@schooldistrictofonalaska5507
• Facebookfacebook.com/schooldistrictofonalaska
• Instagraminstagram.com/onalaskaschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about School District of Onalaska