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Average

#1129 of 2,102 schools in WI

Downtown Montessori

Elementary School · Downtown Montessori Academy Inc

2507 S Graham St, Milwaukee, WI 53207

Charter

Enrollment

239

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Milwaukee

#29 of 176

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#656 of 1,099

Equity

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Downtown Montessori

Downtown Montessori serves 239 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade as a charter school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio while implementing the Montessori educational approach. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #369 out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 76% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows 57% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, indicating solid foundational skills with opportunities for continued growth. Downtown Montessori's academic score of 9.1 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within the Montessori framework, which emphasizes student-centered learning and hands-on exploration.

The diverse grade range from pre-kindergarten through middle school allows for the multi-age classroom environment that is central to Montessori philosophy. The school is situated in Milwaukee's 53207 ZIP code area, a community characterized by a median household income of $74,073 and where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive educational environment within Wisconsin's largest city.

What Parents Should Know

Downtown Montessori is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-7.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.8 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1

Downtown Montessori — Students at Downtown Montessori score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 75.6%
School
State
51.9%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
57.7%
ELA
79.3%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Downtown Montessori Compares

See how Downtown Montessori performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
46th percentile in WI
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Location

2507 S Graham St, Milwaukee, WI 53207

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Downtown Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bay View Montessori School (rated 7.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST LUCAS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Milwaukee Parkside School (rated 6.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST LUCAS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.2 mi 6.9
Bay View High Milwaukee 0.4 mi 4.6
Milwaukee Parkside School Milwaukee 0.5 mi 6.8
Riley Dual Language Montessori School Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.3
Humboldt Park Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.7
ST AUGUSTINE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.0
La Causa Charter School Milwaukee 1.1 mi 4.6
ST JOSAPHAT PARISH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.0
Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies Milwaukee 1.0 mi 6.1
Stellar Collegiate Charter School Milwaukee 1.1 mi 6.3
Hayes Bilingual School Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.6
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.3 mi 3.8
Clement Avenue Elementary Milwaukee 1.5 mi 6.1
Allen-Field Elementary Milwaukee 1.4 mi 5.4
Zablocki Elementary Milwaukee 1.3 mi 6.6
Bay View Montessori School Milwaukee 1.7 mi 7.0
Grandview High Milwaukee 1.3 mi 5.6
United Community Center Acosta Middle School Milwaukee 1.7 mi 6.0
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.5 mi 5.4
Fernwood Montessori Milwaukee 1.5 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53207 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,576

Median Home Value

$228,500

Median Rent

$1,145/mo

Population

34,536

College Educated

45.1%

Homeownership

60.1%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Downtown Montessori has a median household income of $79,576. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,500, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Emerson Elementary La Crosse, WI 6.3
Franklin Elementary Oshkosh, WI 6.3
Franklin Elementary Wausau, WI 6.3
Gegan Elementary Menasha, WI 6.3
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wisconsin Rapids, WI 6.3
MT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Downtown Montessori

What grades does Downtown Montessori serve?

Downtown Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Downtown Montessori?

Downtown Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Downtown Montessori?

The student-teacher ratio at Downtown Montessori 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 Downtown Montessori rank in WI?

Downtown Montessori is ranked #1129 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Downtown Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?

Downtown Montessori has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Downtown Montessori?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downtown Montessori has 56.9% math proficiency and 75.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Downtown Montessori a charter school?

Yes, Downtown Montessori is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Downtown Montessori a Title I school?

No, Downtown Montessori is not currently a Title I school.

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
239
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Downtown Montessori Academy Inc
District Enrollment
239
Schools in District
1
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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