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Very Good

#605 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 29% in state

Emerson Elementary

Elementary School · Madison Metropolitan School District

2421 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53704

Enrollment

317

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#605 of 2,105

In Madison

#13 of 54

public schools

In district

#14 of 52

Madison Metropolitan School District

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Emerson Elementary

7.6/10

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

East High

5.8/10

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

Operation Fresh Start

7.0/10

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

About Emerson Elementary

Emerson Elementary is a public elementary school in Madison, WI, part of Madison Metropolitan School District. Emerson Elementary serves approximately 317 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #605 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Emerson Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.9
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Emerson 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 Progress9.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,411
Chronic Absenteeism47%

Emerson Elementary — Students at Emerson Elementary score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 44.7% (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
57%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
37.5%
ELA
43.5%
2025
Math
42.1%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Emerson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
71th percentile in WI
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.0%

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

2421 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53704

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lowell Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Winnequah School (rated 8.1/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Monona), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marquette Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
East High Madison 0.3 mi 5.8
OPERATION FRESH START Madison 0.3 mi 7.0
Lowell Elementary Madison 0.8 mi 8.4
Marquette Elementary Madison 1.0 mi 7.9
O'Keeffe Middle Madison 1.0 mi 6.7
Isthmus Montessori Academy Public Madison 1.3 mi 8.6
Sherman Middle Madison 1.3 mi 5.1
Shabazz-City High Madison 1.3 mi 4.2
Innovative High Madison 1.4 mi 4.7
Lapham Elementary Madison 1.4 mi 6.3
RICHARDSON SCHOOL Madison 1.8 mi
Hawthorne Elementary Madison 1.5 mi 5.5
Schenk Elementary Madison 1.6 mi 6.2
Whitehorse Middle Madison 1.6 mi 4.5
Lake View Elementary Madison 2.4 mi 4.6
ST DENNIS SCHOOL Madison 2.0 mi 6.9
Winnequah School Monona 2.6 mi 8.1
WINGS TO SOAR ONLINE ACADEMY Madison 2.1 mi 4.2
Monona Grove High Monona 2.5 mi 5.9
Nuestro Mundo Monona 2.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,007

Median Home Value

$289,000

Median Rent

$1,231/mo

Population

47,136

College Educated

49.5%

Homeownership

53.5%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

35.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Butte des Morts Elementary Menasha, WI 7.6
Cochrane-Fountain City Elementary Fountain City, WI 7.6
Davey Elementary Eau Claire, WI 7.6
Eleva-Strum Elementary Strum, WI 7.6
Evans Elementary Fond Du Lac, WI 7.6
Harrison Elementary Janesville, WI 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson Elementary

What grades does Emerson Elementary serve?

Emerson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Emerson Elementary?

Emerson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson Elementary rank in WI?

Emerson Elementary ranks #605 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Emerson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Emerson Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Emerson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Emerson Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

45.7% of students at Emerson 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
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
100 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Dane County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.0%

District

Madison Metropolitan School District
District Enrollment
25,247
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,411
District Rank
#14 of 52

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