(FOX LAKE) Students and families at the School for Agriculture and Environmental Studies — better known as SAGES — have a big reason to celebrate.
The Fox Lake charter school, part of the Waupun Area School District, has been named one of the 2026 Best Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
SAGES ranked No. 387 among Wisconsin elementary schools and No. 19 among Wisconsin charter schools, placing it in the top 40% of public elementary schools nationwide.
Principal Megan Hanni said the recognition reflects the teamwork that defines SAGES.
“We are incredibly proud that SAGES has been highlighted in the U.S. News & World Report rankings,” Hanni said. “This recognition, coupled with our recent ‘Exceeds Expectations’ state accountability rating, is a direct result of our focused approach — building foundational skills and meeting students’ basic needs.”
District Administrator Dr. Steven Hill said the honor highlights the district’s broader commitment to quality.
All three schools in the Waupun Area School District earned an “Exceeds Expectations” rating for 2024–25, and Waupun Junior/Senior High also received a U.S. News Best High Schools Award.
“These results reflect the collaborative culture and systems we’ve built to sustain excellence,” Hill said. “It shows what can happen when our community works together toward a shared goal.”
The U.S. News rankings look at state test results in reading and math, taking into account student demographics and student-teacher ratios to measure how effectively schools serve their communities.
Located in Fox Lake, SAGES serves about 130 students in grades 4K through 6. The school focuses on hands-on, project-based learning in agriculture and environmental studies — helping kids connect classroom lessons to the world around them.
