Average
#927 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 44% 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
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Madison
#30 of 53
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#552 of 1,099
In district
#30 of 52
Madison Metropolitan School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Emerson Elementary
Emerson Elementary serves 317 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Madison, Wisconsin, offering a strong academic environment with a favorable 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. The school's 28 full-time equivalent teachers provide personalized attention that contributes to its impressive performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #291 out of 2112 Wisconsin elementary schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide. Located on East Johnson Street in Madison's vibrant eastside neighborhood, Emerson Elementary draws families from a well-educated community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding area reflects Madison's strong commitment to education, with a median household income of $71,609 and median home values around $268,400, indicating a stable, middle-class community that values academic achievement. As a regular public school, Emerson Elementary provides comprehensive elementary education in an environment that balances academic rigor with the individual attention that comes from its excellent student-teacher ratio. The school's strong statewide ranking reflects its effectiveness in preparing young learners for their educational journey ahead.
Emerson Elementary sits in one of Madison's most established neighborhoods, where tree-lined streets and proximity to the University of Wisconsin create an atmosphere that celebrates learning and community engagement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Emerson Elementary — Students at Emerson Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.1/10.
How Emerson Elementary Compares
See how Emerson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 54.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 44.5% (2021).
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. Marquette Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lapham Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lake View Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.2 |
| OPERATION FRESH START Madison | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Lowell Elementary Madison | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Marquette Elementary Madison | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| O'Keeffe Middle Madison | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Isthmus Montessori Academy Public Madison | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Sherman Middle Madison | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Shabazz-City High Madison | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Innovative High Madison | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lapham Elementary Madison | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| RICHARDSON SCHOOL Madison | 1.8 mi | — |
| Hawthorne Elementary Madison | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Schenk Elementary Madison | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Whitehorse Middle Madison | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Lake View Elementary Madison | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| ST DENNIS SCHOOL Madison | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Winnequah School Monona | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| WINGS TO SOAR ONLINE ACADEMY Madison | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Monona Grove High Monona | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Nuestro Mundo Monona | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Emerson Elementary has a median household income of $75,007. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,000, with a median rent of $1,231/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Decorah Elementary West Bend, WI | 6.7 |
| Dousman Elementary Dousman, WI | 6.7 |
| Forest Park Elementary Kenosha, WI | 6.7 |
| Hillsboro Elementary Hillsboro, WI | 6.7 |
| Janssen Elementary Combined Locks, WI | 6.7 |
| Jeffery Elementary Kenosha, WI | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #927 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Emerson Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Emerson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson Elementary has 44.5% math proficiency and 46.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,124/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madison). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (608) 204-2000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madison Metropolitan School District- District Enrollment
- 25,247
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,411
- District Rank
- #30 of 52
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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