The Fond du Lac School District (FDLSD) is one of just 16 school districts in the nation that are recognized and celebrated for being on the rise in both reading and math by the 2026 Education Scorecard, a comprehensive study released by researchers at Harvard and Stanford Universities. The report highlights FDLSD as a statewide leader in academic recovery, noting that the district climbed 200 places in state rankings between 2021 and 2025.
According to the Education Scorecard data, FDLSD is successfully bucking the “U-shaped recovery” trend, where middle-income districts have often seen progress stall following the expiration of federal relief funds. Instead, Fond du Lac has emerged as one of the top-performing districts in Wisconsin for student growth. The 2026 findings specifically recognize FDLSD for achieving the high positive change in reading and math growth. This means that our students are advancing more than one grade level in knowledge over the academic year.
The district credits this success to several high-level instructional shifts, including implementing an evidence-based literacy curriculum, analyzing data, and creating the Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA) roles. These positions provide critical administrative and behavioral support, allowing building principals to focus on instructional leadership and classroom data.
Additionally, the district’s partnership with the Boys & Girls Club has been cited as a national model for extending learning time and eliminating the “summer slide,” ensuring students remain on an upward trajectory year-round.
FDLSD’s results serve as evidence that intentional investment in high-level teaching and rigorous opportunities and expectations can close achievement gaps and elevate an entire community.
“We are providing fantastic opportunities and teaching our students at a high level,” said Superintendent Matt Steinbarth. “Being recognized as a ‘district on the rise’ confirms that our focus on academic excellence is delivering the results our students and families deserve.”
For more information and to view the 2026 data, visit: https://educationscorecard.org/states/wisconsin/