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Needs Improvement

#2055 of 2,105 schools in WI

Elm Creative Arts Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

900 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI 53205

Enrollment

319

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#2,055 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#167 of 176

public schools

In district

#146 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Elm Creative Arts Elementary

3.3/10

Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alliance School of Milwaukee

4.8/10

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

Roosevelt Middle

5.7/10

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

About Elm Creative Arts Elementary

Elm Creative Arts Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Elm Creative Arts Elementary serves approximately 319 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Elm Creative Arts Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,055 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Elm Creative Arts Elementary show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

66% of students at Elm Creative Arts 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.88 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.3% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-48 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-43.5 pts
Overall Proficiency7% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism65.5%

Elm Creative Arts Elementary — Students at Elm Creative Arts Elementary score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 13.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 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
65%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
25%
ELA
19%
2012
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2013
Math
8%
ELA
4%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
4%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
2%
2016
Math
7%
ELA
2%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
6.4%
ELA
6.4%
2025
Math
6.3%
ELA
7.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Elm Creative Arts Elementary Compares

See how Elm Creative Arts Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in WI
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
65.5%

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

900 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI 53205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elm Creative Arts Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Highland Community School (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- Lloyd Street (rated 7.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Milwaukee College Preparatory School: Lola Rowe North Campus (rated 7.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Alliance School of Milwaukee Milwaukee 0.1 mi 4.8
Roosevelt Middle Milwaukee 0.1 mi 5.7
Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- Lloyd Street Milwaukee 0.4 mi 7.0
Siefert Elementary Milwaukee 0.4 mi 4.9
Grant Gordon Learning Center Milwaukee 0.6 mi 5.2
Golda Meir School Milwaukee 0.5 mi 5.8
Milwaukee College Preparatory School: Lola Rowe North Campus Milwaukee 0.6 mi 7.0
Shalom High Milwaukee 0.5 mi 4.6
Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning Milwaukee 0.7 mi 2.5
Milwaukee County Youth Education Center Milwaukee 0.8 mi
Carver Academy Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.1
North Division High Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.1
CLARA MOHAMMED SCHOOL INC. Milwaukee 0.8 mi 8.8
Tenor High Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.1
Highland Community School Milwaukee 0.8 mi 7.2
ST MARCUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.7
Brown Street Academy Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.4
Project STAY-Supporting Teachers and Youth Milwaukee 1.1 mi 5.5
CROSS TRAINERS ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.1 mi 6.2
Hopkins Lloyd Community School Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$30,300

Median Home Value

$122,100

Median Rent

$803/mo

Population

9,091

College Educated

18.7%

Homeownership

27.9%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

41.9%

Median Age

28.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Jefferson Elementary Kenosha, WI 3.3
Riverwest Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.2
Franklin Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.4
Neeskara Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.4
Craig Montessori School Milwaukee, WI 3.1
Hawley Environmental School Milwaukee, WI 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elm Creative Arts Elementary

What grades does Elm Creative Arts Elementary serve?

Elm Creative Arts Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Elm Creative Arts Elementary?

Elm Creative Arts Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Elm Creative Arts Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Elm Creative Arts Elementary is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elm Creative Arts Elementary rank in WI?

Elm Creative Arts Elementary ranks #2,055 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Elm Creative Arts Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Elm Creative Arts Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Elm Creative Arts Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Elm Creative Arts Elementary has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Elm Creative Arts Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Elm Creative Arts Elementary a Title I school?

No, Elm Creative Arts Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Elm Creative Arts Elementary?

95.9% of students at Elm Creative Arts 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
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
65.5%

District

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

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