The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in Milwaukee for 2026 are Stormonth Elementary (9.2/10), Downtown Montessori (8.3/10), and Bay View Montessori School (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 116 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.2
- 28.3
- 37.8
- 47.7
- 57.4
- 67.2
- 77.1
- 87.0
- 97.0
- 106.9
All 116 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 116
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Stormonth ElementaryFox Point J2 School Districtstudents 481student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades Pre-K–4th
- 2Downtown MontessoricharterDowntown Montessori Academy Incstudents 239student-teacher ratio 18.4:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 3Bay View Montessori SchoolMilwaukee School Districtstudents 484student-teacher ratio 23.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 4Stellar Collegiate Charter SchoolcharterCarmen High School of Science and Technology Incstudents 217student-teacher ratio 12.8:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 5Cooper ElementaryMilwaukee School Districtstudents 459student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 6Highland Community SchoolcharterMilwaukee School Districtstudents 414student-teacher ratio 18.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 7Whittier ElementarycharterMilwaukee School Districtstudents 142student-teacher ratio 15.8:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 8Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- Lloyd StreetcharterMilwaukee School Districtstudents 477student-teacher ratio 95.4:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 9Milwaukee College Preparatory School: Lola Rowe North CampuscharterMilwaukee School Districtstudents 509student-teacher ratio 127.2:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 10Milwaukee Scholars Charter SchoolcharterMilwaukee Scholars Charter School Incstudents 769student-teacher ratio 22.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 11Seeds of Health Elementary ProgramcharterSeeds of Health Incstudents 377student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 12Rocketship Southside Community PrepcharterRocketship Education Wisconsin Incstudents 398student-teacher ratio 18.1:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 13Maryland MontessoriMilwaukee School Districtstudents 515student-teacher ratio 23.4:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 14Academy of Accelerated LearningMilwaukee School Districtstudents 538student-teacher ratio 17.9:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 15Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 38th StreetcharterMilwaukee School Districtstudents 478student-teacher ratio 159.3:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 16Barbee ElementaryMilwaukee School Districtstudents 305student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades Pre-K–6th
- 17Lowell International ElementaryMilwaukee School Districtstudents 206student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 18Milwaukee Math and Science AcademycharterMilwaukee Math and Science Academy Incstudents 244student-teacher ratio 18.8:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 19Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 36th Street CampuscharterMilwaukee School Districtstudents 478student-teacher ratio 119.5:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 20Rocketship Transformation PrepcharterRocketship Education Wisconsin Incstudents 231student-teacher ratio 23.1:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 21Milwaukee German ImmersionMilwaukee School Districtstudents 549student-teacher ratio 21.1:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 22Forest Home ElementaryMilwaukee School Districtstudents 537student-teacher ratio 11.7:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 23Hampton ElementaryMilwaukee School Districtstudents 150student-teacher ratio 16.7:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 24Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes StudiesMilwaukee School Districtstudents 236student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 25Woodlands SchoolcharterWoodlands School Incstudents 370student-teacher ratio 19.5:1grades Pre-K–8th
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.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Stormonth Elementary
Fox Point J2 School District
481 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–4th
Top 2% in Wisconsin
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 9.0
- Environment
- 9.3
- 2
Downtown Montessori
Downtown Montessori Academy Inc
239 students · 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 13% in Wisconsin · charter
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 5.0
- 3
Bay View Montessori School
Milwaukee School District
484 students · 23.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 24% in Wisconsin
- Academics
- 7.4
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 3.3
- 4
Stellar Collegiate Charter School
Carmen High School of Science and Technology Inc
217 students · 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 25% in Wisconsin · charter
- Academics
- 6.7
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 4.8
- 5
Cooper Elementary
Milwaukee School District
459 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 33% in Wisconsin
- Academics
- 8.3
- Growth
- 8.3
- Environment
- 4.0
- 6
Highland Community School
Milwaukee School District
414 students · 18.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 37% in Wisconsin · charter
- Academics
- 7.6
- Growth
- 7.6
- Environment
- 5.4
- 7
Whittier Elementary
Milwaukee School District
142 students · 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 39% in Wisconsin · charter
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 5.5
- Environment
- 8.4
- 8
Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- Lloyd Street
Milwaukee School District
477 students · 95.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 41% in Wisconsin · charter
- Academics
- 5.8
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 1.8
- 9
Milwaukee College Preparatory School: Lola Rowe North Campus
Milwaukee School District
509 students · 127.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 41% in Wisconsin · charter
- Academics
- 6.6
- Growth
- 9.3
- Environment
- 1.9
- 10
Milwaukee Scholars Charter School
Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Inc
769 students · 22.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 42% in Wisconsin · charter
- Academics
- 5.4
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 2.2
Questions
What is the best elementary school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Stormonth Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in Milwaukee with a composite score of 9.2/10. 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, 169 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Milwaukee?
Among 169 Milwaukee elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 5.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Wisconsin).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive 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?
Milwaukee has 22 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in Milwaukee2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Milwaukee2026 rankings and ratings
- All 259 schools in MilwaukeeElementary, middle and high
- Wisconsin schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings