VAIS Achievements
Academic Success
To ensure each student’s success, VAIS closely monitors individual academic growth. VAIS students take part in the same formal assessments as other students in the Verona Area School District.
Test results from the Wisconsin Forward Exam demonstrate VAIS 3rd-5th grade students perform well in English Language Arts (Reading), Math, Science, and Social Studies, even while learning half their academic content in Chinese.
VAIS administers academic and social emotional screeners to all K-5 students throughout the school year to monitor students’ growth in reading, math, and social emotional skills. Staff members use this data to identify students who may need additional support, intervention, or enrichment in different areas.
VAIS assesses first through fifth grade students’ Chinese language skills through the Avant STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP), a nationally recognized language assessment. Scores are used to provide evidence of a learner’s growth and document whether individual learners are reaching designated benchmarks. For more about STAMP, see https://avantassessment.com/stamp4se.
Verona Area International School has received a “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” rating from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction since the 2016-2017 school year. The “School Report Card” is a rating of school accountability based on information related to student outcomes as measured by statewide assessments, attendance, and projected high school completion.
Awards
2026 Niche #1 in Best Charter Elementary Schools in Wisconsin
VAIS was ranked #1 in Best Charter Elementary Schools in Wisconsin on the Niche ranking and review
site.
2025 US News and World Report rankings
Verona Area International School is ranked #7 in Wisconsin Elementary Schools, #1 in Verona Area School District Elementary Schools, and #2 in Wisconsin Charter Elementary Schools by US News and World Report
2024 Niche #5 Best Elementary School in Madison Area
VAIS was ranked #5 in the Elementary Schools in Madison Area category on the Niche ranking and review site.
2024 Niche Best Charter Elementary in Madison Area
VAIS was ranked #1 among the Best Charter Elementary Schools in the Madison area.
2023 Niche Top Ten Elementary School in Madison Area
VAIS was the only Verona school placed in Madison area's Top 10 Elementary Schools.
2017 Donna Clementi Blue Ribbon Award
This award for Excellence in World Language Programs is granted by the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers. WAFLT is a professional organization of language teachers in Wisconsin. The mission of WAFLT is to promote the study and teaching of world languages and cultures, to provide resources and professional development opportunities for language teachers, and to advocate for language education at all levels.
Student Awards
In 2026, a 4th grader and a 5th grader at VAIS earned the 2026 Excellence in Chinese Learning Awards from the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers (WACLT).
In 2021, a VAIS graduate won first place among non-heritage advanced speakers at the WACLT Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition.
In 2020, two students won the Excellence in Chinese Learning Award also granted by the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers.
In 2026, the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Dot (1st grade), 3rd place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Nigel (4th grade), 3rd place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Nathaniel (4th grade), 3rd place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Melia (5th grade), 1st place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Lily (5th grade), 1st place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Emily (5th grade), 2nd place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Deanna (5th grade), 2nd place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Maxa (5th grade), 3rd place in 23rd Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
In 2025, the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Berri, 2nd place in 2025 Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Natalie, 3rd place in 2025 Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
In 2024, the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Berri, 2nd place in 2024 Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Henry, 2nd place in 2024 Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Natalie, 3rd place in 2024 Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
- Isadora, 3rd place in 2024 Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
In 2023, the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Ruby Xi, 3rd place in the heritage upper Elementary group, 2023 Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
In 2022, the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Isaac, 1st place in the group of Heritage Upper Elementary
- Maia, 1st place in the group of Non-Heritage Upper Elementary Intermediate
In 2021, the Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Isaac Reiter, 3rd place in the 4th Global Chinese Speech Competition
In 2024, the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Henry, VAIS 4th grader, Excellence in Chinese Learning Award
- Isadora, VAIS 5th grader, Excellence in Chinese Learning Award
In 2023, the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers awarded the following VAIS students:
- Prisha, VAIS 4th grader, Excellence in Chinese Learning Award
- Stella, VAIS 5th grader, Excellence in Chinese Learning Award
- Isaac, VAIS 5th grader, Wisconsin Excellence in Language Study Award
- Ruby, VAIS 5th grader, 3rd place in the 20th Annual Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest
In addition, several students have gone on to pass AP Mandarin tests, and graduates have the opportunity to receive certificates of biliteracy at graduation.
Teacher Awards
Lumei Huang, teacher for the kindergarten and first grade classes, has received recognition as a World Language Teacher.
Ms. Huang was awarded an Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship for 2025.
Yingying Reiter, teacher for 4-5 grades, is trained in oral proficiency in Chinese testing and is distinguished language educator.
Ms. Reiter received an Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (WACTE) and attended the WACTE Spring Conference as a guest speaker in April 2026.
Ms. Reiter's new book, Mandarin Chinese for modern learners: A complete beginner’s self-study course for the digital age, will be available this October.
In the News
VAIS helps to share our love for multicultural learning beyond the walls of our school!
Mandarin Immersion in Our Community at VAIS
Article about our school written by Sally Parks
Best elementary schools in Wisconsin 2025
Verona Area International School is ranked
#7 in Wisconsin Elementary Schools
#1in Verona Area School District Elementary Schools
#2 in Wisconsin Charter Elementary Schools
"VAHS 2023 graduate Alex Prout participates in NSLI-Y program, looks ahead at future with Chinese"
Verona Press
From Xi’An to Chengdu: Mandarin language learners gain firsthand experiences on China trip
Over 30 Mandarin language students from the Verona Area School District (VASD) and their families made memories that will last a lifetime when they traveled to China, many for the first time, over spring break.
Mandarin language learners in the Verona Area School District (VASD) celebrated the Lunar New Year with the community at the K-12 Spring Festival Showcase.
