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Very Good

#698 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 33% in state

Cooper Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

5143 S 21st St, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Enrollment

459

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#698 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#12 of 176

public schools

In district

#6 of 154

Milwaukee School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Cooper Elementary

7.4/10

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

Reagan College Preparatory High

7.9/10

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

Salam School

7.9/10

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

About Cooper Elementary

Cooper Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Cooper Elementary serves approximately 459 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cooper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #698 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Cooper Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.8% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.6% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-2.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.4 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+22.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Cooper Elementary — Students at Cooper Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 53.0% (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
70%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
33%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
31%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.3%
2025
Math
51.8%
ELA
55.6%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Cooper Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
67th percentile in WI
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

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

5143 S 21st St, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cooper Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edgewood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Greenfield), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Highland View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Greendale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cedar Hills Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Oak Creek), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Reagan College Preparatory High Milwaukee 0.2 mi 7.9
SALAM SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 7.9
Victory Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.8
IDEAL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.1
Lowell International Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 6.4
Greenfield Middle Greenfield 0.8 mi 6.1
Garland Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 3.6
OUR FATHER'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Greenfield 1.2 mi 7.3
Elm Dale Elementary Greenfield 1.2 mi 7.7
Cedar Hills Elementary Oak Creek 1.9 mi 7.8
Morgandale Elementary Milwaukee 1.9 mi 3.9
WORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 2.0 mi 7.5
Whittier Elementary Milwaukee 1.7 mi 7.1
Curtin Elementary Milwaukee 2.2 mi 4.1
Edgewood Elementary Greenfield 1.8 mi 8.3
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukee 2.4 mi 5.4
Highland View Elementary Greendale 2.0 mi 8.3
Time 4 Learning Charter School Greendale 2.0 mi 3.3
Carmen Hi Southeast Campus Milwaukee 2.7 mi 3.7
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Milwaukee 2.6 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,640

Median Home Value

$205,500

Median Rent

$1,071/mo

Population

38,428

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

57.4%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

39.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clinton Elementary Clinton, WI 7.4
Cooper Elementary Superior, WI 7.4
County Line Elementary Germantown, WI 7.4
Dr Virginia Henderson Elementary School Madison, WI 7.4
Elvehjem Elementary Madison, WI 7.4
Emerson Elementary La Crosse, WI 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cooper Elementary

What grades does Cooper Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Cooper Elementary?

Cooper Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cooper Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cooper Elementary is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cooper Elementary rank in WI?

Cooper Elementary ranks #698 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Cooper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cooper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Cooper Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cooper Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cooper Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cooper Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

68.4% of students at Cooper 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
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

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