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Needs Improvement

#2019 of 2,105 schools in WI

Emerson Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

9025 W Lawrence Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53225

Enrollment

202

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#2,019 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#159 of 176

public schools

In district

#139 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Emerson Elementary

3.5/10

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

Hapa-hmong American Peace Academy K3-12

6.5/10

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

Shining Star Christian Schools

5.2/10

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

About Emerson Elementary

Emerson Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Emerson Elementary serves approximately 202 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,019 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Emerson Elementary show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

63% 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 Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-44.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-43.7 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism63.4%

Emerson Elementary — Students at Emerson Elementary score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 17.3% (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
52%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
12%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
8%
2025
Math
9.7%
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Emerson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
4th percentile in WI
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
63.4%

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

9025 W Lawrence Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BLESSED SAVIOR SCHOOL-WEST CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARGARET MARY (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Madison Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Wauwatosa), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
HAPA-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 Milwaukee 0.5 mi 6.5
SHINING STAR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Milwaukee 0.5 mi 5.2
MILWAUKEE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.4 mi 5.1
ST MARGARET MARY Milwaukee 0.6 mi 6.7
Madison Elementary Wauwatosa 0.6 mi 6.7
NORTHWEST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.2
Engleburg Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.9
Ninety-Fifth Street Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.7
DIVINE SAVIOR HOLY ANGELS HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.9
BLESSED SAVIOR SCHOOL-WEST CAMPUS Milwaukee 1.0 mi 6.8
Grantosa Drive Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 3.6
Milwaukee German Immersion Milwaukee 1.0 mi 6.2
Craig Montessori School Milwaukee 0.9 mi 3.1
Milwaukee School of Languages Milwaukee 1.6 mi 4.7
Bryant Elementary Milwaukee 1.6 mi 4.8
Parkview Elementary Milwaukee 1.5 mi 5.6
GREATER HOLY TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.7 mi 6.0
Eighty-First Street Elementary Milwaukee 1.8 mi 4.6
Lancaster Elementary Milwaukee 1.6 mi 4.6
James Madison Academic Campus Milwaukee 2.1 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53225 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,433

Median Home Value

$174,500

Median Rent

$1,094/mo

Population

25,277

College Educated

21.5%

Homeownership

40.7%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

33.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alcott Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.5
Vernon Elementary Kenosha, WI 3.5
Jefferson Elementary Kenosha, WI 3.3
McKinley Elementary Kenosha, WI 3.8
Merrill Elementary Oshkosh, WI 3.8
Riverwest Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.2

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 202 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Elementary is 13.5:1. 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 #2,019 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Emerson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 17% 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?

90.1% 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
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
202
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
63.4%

District

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

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