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#1643 of 2,102 schools in WI

Cooper Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

5143 S 21st St, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Enrollment

459

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Milwaukee

#74 of 176

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#909 of 1,099

In district

#61 of 154

Milwaukee School District

About Cooper Elementary

Cooper Elementary is a public elementary school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Cooper Elementary offers a comprehensive education to its 459 enrolled students with a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1. The school has 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality instruction.

Academically, Cooper Elementary aims for continuous improvement, as reflected in the MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1454 out of 2112 schools, placing it at the 31st percentile in Wisconsin. In terms of proficiency rates, 53% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% meet this benchmark in Math. Cooper Elementary is situated in a bustling urban environment within Milwaukee's city limits.

The school community is committed to supporting its diverse student body and fostering an engaging learning atmosphere for all learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.77 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-37.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,369

Cooper Elementary — Students at Cooper Elementary score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

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 47.2%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 53.2%
School
State
51.9%

Based on 16 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
50%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
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: 5.5/10.

How Cooper Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
22th percentile in WI
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Greenfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Greendale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elm Dale Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Greenfield), which scores notably 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 8.3
SALAM SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 7.9
Victory Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.3
IDEAL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 7.3
Lowell International Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 7.9
Greenfield Middle Greenfield 0.8 mi 6.9
Garland Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 4.5
OUR FATHER'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Greenfield 1.2 mi 7.3
Elm Dale Elementary Greenfield 1.2 mi 8.1
Cedar Hills Elementary Oak Creek 1.9 mi 6.4
Morgandale Elementary Milwaukee 1.9 mi 4.2
WORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 2.0 mi 7.5
Whittier Elementary Milwaukee 1.7 mi 6.0
Curtin Elementary Milwaukee 2.2 mi 4.5
Edgewood Elementary Greenfield 1.8 mi 8.4
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 5.3
Carmen Hi Southeast Campus Milwaukee 2.7 mi 4.5
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cooper Elementary has a median household income of $61,640. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $205,500, with a median rent of $1,071/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Benjamin Franklin Elementary and Early Learning Center Menomonee Falls, WI 5.3
Chilton Elementary Chilton, WI 5.3
East Elementary Milton, WI 5.3
Hillcrest Elementary Chippewa Falls, WI 5.3
Maple Grove Elementary Greenfield, WI 5.3
Muir Elementary Portage, WI 5.3

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 is ranked #1643 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Cooper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cooper Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Cooper Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cooper Elementary has 47.2% math proficiency and 53.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

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
459
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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