Chain Exploration Center

www.waupaca.k12.wi.us

Charter School 139 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 8th

School Overview

The Chain Exploration Center (CEC) is a tuition-free public charter school located in Waupaca, Wisconsin, serving students in grades 5 through 8. Operating as part of the Waupaca School District, the school is founded on the philosophy of project-based learning (PBL). This approach emphasizes hands-on, collaborative experiences that allow students to connect their academic studies to real-world applications, encouraging them to take an active role in their own educational journey.

The school is noted for its personalized learning environment and its commitment to fostering strong community and staff partnerships. By utilizing a multi-age classroom structure, the CEC aims to create a supportive culture where students develop not only academic proficiency but also essential life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. Its location near the Waupaca Chain O' Lakes provides a unique setting that often integrates environmental stewardship and local outdoor exploration into the school’s innovative curriculum.

139

Total Students

11.7

Full-Time Teachers

11.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

33.1%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Chain Exploration Center
Demographic	Student Count
White	126
Hispanic	4
Black	1
Two or More	8

White
126 (90.6%)
Two or More
8 (5.8%)
Hispanic
4 (2.9%)
Black
1 (0.7%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Waupaca School District
Phone:	(715)258-4151
Website:	http://www.waupaca.k12.wi.us
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 8th
Total Students:	139
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	11.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	11.9
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	29
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	17

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 18

Grade 1 18

Grade 2 17

Grade 3 18

Grade 4 19

Grade 5 20

Grade 6 15

Grade 7 3

Grade 8 11