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Needs Improvement

#1968 of 2,105 schools in WI

Congress Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

5225 W Lincoln Creek Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53218

Enrollment

699

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,968 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#147 of 176

public schools

In district

#128 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Congress Elementary

3.8/10

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

Carson Academy

4.1/10

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

Hampton Elementary

6.0/10

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

About Congress Elementary

Congress Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Congress Elementary serves approximately 699 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Congress Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,968 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Congress Elementary show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Congress Elementary 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 Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.5% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.8% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-48.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-38.4 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism50.9%

Congress Elementary — Students at Congress Elementary score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 11.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 15.7% (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
55%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
19%
ELA
10%
2012
Math
13%
ELA
11%
2013
Math
10%
ELA
7%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
7%
ELA
8%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
9%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
9%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
9%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
3.1%
ELA
6.4%
2025
Math
5.5%
ELA
12.8%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Congress Elementary Compares

See how Congress Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
7th percentile in WI
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.9%

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

5225 W Lincoln Creek Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53218

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Congress Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. YESHIVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MT LEBANON LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rocketship Transformation Prep (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Carson Academy Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.1
Hampton Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.0
Central City Cyberschool Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.5
MT LEBANON LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.6 mi 6.4
ATONEMENT LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.6
Obama School of Career and Technical Education Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.5
Marshall High Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.1
Fifty-Third Street Elementary Milwaukee 1.1 mi 3.8
YESHIVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.2 mi 7.6
Milwaukee Environmental Science Academy Milwaukee 1.1 mi 5.8
Lancaster Elementary Milwaukee 1.1 mi 4.6
Clemens Elementary Milwaukee 1.1 mi 4.2
ASSATA High Milwaukee 1.1 mi 4.5
Banner Preparatory School of Milwaukee Milwaukee 1.1 mi 8.1
Browning Elementary Milwaukee 1.4 mi 4.4
Townsend Street Elementary Milwaukee 1.4 mi 4.0
Kilbourn Elementary Milwaukee 1.4 mi 4.6
HOLY REDEEMER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.3 mi 4.8
Rocketship Transformation Prep Milwaukee 1.6 mi 6.2
Sherman Elementary Milwaukee 1.8 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,207

Median Home Value

$122,200

Median Rent

$1,034/mo

Population

40,581

College Educated

10.1%

Homeownership

41.9%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

28.2%

Median Age

30.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burbank Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.8
Mitchell Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.8
Milwaukee Spanish Immersion Milwaukee, WI 3.7
Fratney Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.9
Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary Racine, WI 3.9
Morgandale Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Congress Elementary

What grades does Congress Elementary serve?

Congress Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Congress Elementary?

Congress Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 699 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Congress Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Congress Elementary is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Congress Elementary rank in WI?

Congress Elementary ranks #1,968 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Congress Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Congress Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Congress Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Congress Elementary has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Congress Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Congress Elementary a Title I school?

No, Congress Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Congress Elementary?

92.3% of students at Congress Elementary 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
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
699
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.9%

District

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

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