MILTON Milton School District students continue to be ahead of the proficiency curve compared to peer schools on the Wisconsin Forward exam.
Students continued to exceed the state average in proficiency scores by a wide margin in 2025-26, according to data released by the district Friday. The Forward exam is an assessment taken annually by students in English language arts, math, science and social studies. Students in grades 3-8 take the Forward exam in English language arts and math. Grades four and eight take the Forward exam in science and social studies. Tenth-graders also take the Forward exam in social studies.
The district had 65% proficiency in English language arts on the Forward exam. That is about 12% higher than the state percentage of 53%. In math, the district was at about 67% proficient, above the state average of about 53%. The district had just shy of a 64% proficiency in science, more than 12% higher than the state average. In social studies, the district was at more than 64% proficient in social studies, more than 7% higher than the state average of just shy than 57%.
The district has been consistently putting daylight between its proficiency scores and the state average in all four areas. In 2025-26 in English language arts, its score was also 12% higher than the state average. In 2024-25, it was just over 11% higher than the state average.
In math in 2025-26, the district was just less than 15% higher than the state average in proficiency. It was just more than 15% higher than the state average in 2024-25.
The district was 12.3% higher in proficiency in science than the rest of the state in 2025-2026. In 2024-25, the district was 6.8% higher in student proficiency than the state.
Milton School District Director of Teaching and Learning Julie Musgrove was not available for comment.