Below Average
#1832 of 2,105 schools in WI
Bethune Academy
Elementary School · Milwaukee School District
1535 N 35th St, Milwaukee, WI 53208
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,832 of 2,105
In Milwaukee
#117 of 176
public schools
In district
#99 of 154
Milwaukee School District
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Bethune Academy
Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Transition High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Westside Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bethune Academy
Bethune Academy is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Bethune Academy serves approximately 525 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethune Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,832 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Bethune Academy show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at Bethune Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bethune Academy — Students at Bethune Academy score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 40 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Bethune Academy Compares
See how Bethune Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1535 N 35th St, Milwaukee, WI 53208
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bethune Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MESSMER SAINT ROSE (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MESSMER ST ROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 38th Street (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Transition High Milwaukee | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Westside Academy Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Woodlands School - State Street Campus Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 2.1 |
| Story Elementary Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Metcalfe Elementary Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Groppi High Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 36th Street Campus Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Pathways High Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Starms Discovery Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Starms Early Childhood Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| MESSMER ST ROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| MESSMER SAINT ROSE Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Next Door Charter Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 38th Street Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - PRIMA Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Milwaukee High School of the Arts Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Clarke Street Elementary Milwaukee | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| WHS Information Technology Milwaukee | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,585
Median Home Value
$196,300
Median Rent
$924/mo
Population
27,407
College Educated
31.2%
Homeownership
39.7%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
25%
Median Age
33.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Gilmore Fine Arts School Racine, WI | 4.4 |
| Hackett Elementary Beloit, WI | 4.4 |
| INDIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Franklin, WI | 4.4 |
| Westside Elementary Sun Prairie, WI | 4.4 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary and Early Learning Center Menomonee Falls, WI | 4.5 |
| Eisenhower Elementary Green Bay, WI | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bethune Academy
What grades does Bethune Academy serve?
Bethune Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Bethune Academy?
Bethune Academy has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethune Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Bethune Academy is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bethune Academy rank in WI?
Bethune Academy ranks #1,832 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Bethune Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethune Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bethune Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethune Academy has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Bethune Academy a charter school?
No, Bethune Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bethune Academy a Title I school?
No, Bethune Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethune Academy?
97.9% of students at Bethune Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 525
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Milwaukee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.7%
- Phone
- (414) 934-4600
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #99 of 154
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