Onalaska High School

Acton Midwest is a transformative educational environment dedicated to empowering students, particularly those with unique learning needs, to become the heroes of their own stories. With a focus on fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning, this school serves children across various age ranges and diagnoses, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school's mission emphasizes the discovery of individual strengths, the development of real-world skills, and the cultivation of strong character traits such as integrity and empathy. Acton Midwest employs a learner-driven approach that encourages students to set personal goals, manage their time effectively, and engage in reflective practices. Key methodologies include Socratic discussions that promote critical thinking and hands-on projects that apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. What sets Acton Midwest apart is its commitment to nurturing meaningful relationships among students through collaborative studios that foster peer mentorship and multi-age group interactions. This supportive community not only inspires personal accountability but also instills resilience in students as they tackle challenges with grit and determination.

Irving Pertzsch Elementary was the first elementary school in Onalaska and is named for Irving Pertzsch, who served as the city's mayor for more than 30 years. The building has grown over the decades, and a 2015 addition brought a new gymnasium and three more classrooms. Today our 19 classrooms serve about 390 students from PreK through fifth grade, with three classes at each grade level plus a morning PreK class and an afternoon PreK class. We are one of three elementary schools in the Onalaska district, along with Eagle Bluff and Northern Hills. Our building includes a library, music room, art room and gymnasium, and breakfast is served in the cafeteria each morning. Fourth graders take a trip to Henry Vilas Zoo and the State Capitol building.