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Below Average

#1915 of 2,105 schools in WI

Carson Academy

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

4920 W Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53216

Enrollment

332

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,915 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#134 of 176

public schools

In district

#115 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Carson Academy

4.1/10

Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fifty-third Street Elementary

3.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Central City Cyberschool

3.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Carson Academy

Carson Academy is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Carson Academy serves approximately 332 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Carson Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,915 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Carson Academy show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

93% of students at Carson 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 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.4% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10.8% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-46.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40.4 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism92.8%

Carson Academy — Students at Carson Academy score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 9.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 12.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 40 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
41%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
6%
ELA
8%
2012
Math
8%
ELA
6%
2013
Math
5%
ELA
6%
2014
Math
4%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
0.5%
ELA
4%
2016
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
5%
2018
Math
2%
ELA
4%
2019
Math
2%
ELA
4%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
8.4%
ELA
8.5%
2025
Math
7.4%
ELA
10.8%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Carson Academy Compares

See how Carson Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
9th percentile in WI
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
92.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4920 W Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53216

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carson Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. YESHIVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MT LEBANON LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Fifty-Third Street Elementary Milwaukee 0.5 mi 3.8
Central City Cyberschool Milwaukee 0.5 mi 3.5
YESHIVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.6 mi 7.6
Congress Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.8
ATONEMENT LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.6
Townsend Street Elementary Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.0
Clemens Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.2
Marshall High Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.1
Sherman Elementary Milwaukee 1.3 mi 4.4
Hampton Elementary Milwaukee 1.3 mi 6.0
MT LEBANON LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.2 mi 6.4
Milwaukee Environmental Science Academy Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.8
MT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.4 mi 6.3
Obama School of Career and Technical Education Milwaukee 1.4 mi 4.5
ASSATA High Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.5
Banner Preparatory School of Milwaukee Milwaukee 1.2 mi 8.1
Milwaukee Math and Science Academy Milwaukee 1.6 mi 6.3
HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SEUPER Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.8
HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - SEMPER Milwaukee 1.2 mi 5.0
HOLY REDEEMER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.5 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,466

Median Home Value

$122,800

Median Rent

$970/mo

Population

29,772

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

45.3%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

21.1%

Median Age

33.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Curtin Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.1
Shady Lane Elementary Menomonee Falls, WI 4.1
Southside Elementary School Madison, WI 4.1
Fratt Elementary Racine, WI 4.0
STAR OF BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL New Berlin, WI 4.0
Starms Discovery Milwaukee, WI 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carson Academy

What grades does Carson Academy serve?

Carson Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Carson Academy?

Carson Academy has an enrollment of approximately 332 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carson Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Carson Academy is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carson Academy rank in WI?

Carson Academy ranks #1,915 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Carson Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Carson Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Carson Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Carson Academy has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Carson Academy a charter school?

No, Carson Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carson Academy a Title I school?

No, Carson Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carson Academy?

90.1% of students at Carson 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
92.8%

District

Milwaukee School District
District Enrollment
66,864
Schools in District
156
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,815
District Rank
#115 of 154

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