Average
#1363 of 2,102 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
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Milwaukee
#53 of 176
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#788 of 1,099
In district
#44 of 154
Milwaukee School District
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Bethune Academy
Bethune Academy is a regular public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school has an enrollment of 525 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Bethune Academy focuses on providing foundational education for young learners, though its academic performance currently shows room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1820 out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin (14th percentile).
In terms of standardized testing, only about 16% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 10% in Math. Despite these challenges, the school community is committed to student development and growth. Bethune Academy sits in a bustling urban setting within Milwaukee, offering a diverse range of experiences for its students amidst the city’s vibrant energy.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Bethune Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Bethune Academy — Students at Bethune Academy score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
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 16 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.5/10.
How Bethune Academy Compares
See how Bethune Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 6% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 8% (2019) to 7.5% (2021).
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 slightly higher. Additionally, Westside Academy (rated 6.2/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.7 |
| Westside Academy Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Woodlands School - State Street Campus Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Story Elementary Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Metcalfe Elementary Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Groppi High Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 36th Street Campus Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Pathways High Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Starms Discovery Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Starms Early Childhood Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- 38th Street Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - PRIMA Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Milwaukee High School of the Arts Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Clarke Street Elementary Milwaukee | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| WHS Information Technology Milwaukee | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethune Academy has a median household income of $50,585. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,300, with a median rent of $924/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Forest Home Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 5.9 |
| Gaston Elementary Beloit, WI | 5.9 |
| Irving Elementary West Allis, WI | 5.9 |
| Jackson Elementary Manitowoc, WI | 5.9 |
| O Brown Elementary Racine, WI | 5.9 |
| Pleasant View Elementary Franklin, WI | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1363 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Bethune Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethune Academy has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bethune Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethune Academy has 9.8% math proficiency and 15.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,164/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milwaukee). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (414) 934-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #44 of 154
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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