Best Elementary Schools
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
We ranked the 167 elementary schools in Milwaukee with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.0 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Wisconsin education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in Milwaukee for 2026 are Milwaukee Montessori School (9.5/10), Stormonth Elementary (9.2/10), and Milwaukee Jewish Day School (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 167 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in Milwaukee?
Every elementary school in Milwaukee is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Milwaukee Montessori School
Milwaukee, WI. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Stormonth Elementary
Milwaukee, WI. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Milwaukee Jewish Day School
Milwaukee, WI. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Milwaukee's ranked elementary landscape spans 119 schools, giving families a wide field to navigate. Bruce Guadalupe leads the pack with a 9.1 out of 10, well ahead of second-ranked Stormonth Elementary at 8.2 — a gap that reflects meaningful differences in the data. Lowell International Elementary, IDEAL, and Highland Community School round out the top five. The city's average composite score sits at 5.0 out of 10, and only 6 schools — about 5% of those ranked — clear the 7-point threshold. That concentration at the top makes school selection especially consequential here. The table below lets you sort by overall score, academic performance, and other key metrics to find the schools that best match what your family is looking for. Use the filters to narrow by neighborhood or school type and dig into the numbers that matter most to you.
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Milwaukee's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Wisconsin so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 167 Rankings
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Wisconsin education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Wisconsin. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Milwaukee
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Milwaukee's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Milwaukee
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Milwaukee's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in Wisconsin, with 170 schools spanning 16 school districts, plus 22 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Milwaukee Montessori School is the top-rated elementary school in Milwaukee with a composite score of 9.5/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
Milwaukee has 170 elementary schools, including 22 charter schools. Of these, 170 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Milwaukee?
The average composite score for Milwaukee elementary schools is 5.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Wisconsin).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Wisconsin, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Wisconsin, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Milwaukee elementary school rankings?
Yes. Milwaukee has 22 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.