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Average

#1319 of 2,105 schools in WI

Fernwood Montessori

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

3239 S Pennsylvania Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

Enrollment

772

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,319 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#44 of 176

public schools

In district

#28 of 154

Milwaukee School District

Academic performance

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Fernwood Montessori

5.8/10

Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Thomas More High School

7.0/10

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

Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies

5.9/10

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

About Fernwood Montessori

Fernwood Montessori is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Fernwood Montessori serves approximately 772 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 23.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Fernwood Montessori has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,319 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Fernwood Montessori show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Fernwood Montessori runs 23.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.6% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism13.1%

Fernwood Montessori — Students at Fernwood Montessori score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 40 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
79%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
30.4%
ELA
45.3%
2025
Math
46.6%
ELA
68.9%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Fernwood Montessori Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in WI
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.1%

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

3239 S Pennsylvania Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fernwood Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Downtown Montessori (rated 7.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bay View Montessori School (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willow Glen Primary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Saint Francis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST THOMAS MORE HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.5 mi 7.0
Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies Milwaukee 0.5 mi 5.9
Deer Creek Intermediate Saint Francis 0.6 mi 6.8
Clement Avenue Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.0
Willow Glen Primary School Saint Francis 1.3 mi 7.6
Bay View High Milwaukee 1.1 mi 4.2
Humboldt Park Elementary Milwaukee 1.1 mi 5.2
ST LUCAS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.3 mi 6.9
Milwaukee Parkside School Milwaukee 1.3 mi 4.8
Downtown Montessori Milwaukee 1.5 mi 7.9
Bay View Montessori School Milwaukee 1.6 mi 7.8
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Milwaukee 1.6 mi 5.5
Lincoln Elementary Cudahy 1.8 mi 5.7
Burdick Elementary Milwaukee 1.8 mi 4.7
Saint Francis High Saint Francis 1.8 mi 3.4
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cudahy 2.1 mi 7.5
Riley Dual Language Montessori School Milwaukee 2.0 mi 4.3
ST AUGUSTINE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Milwaukee 2.0 mi 6.0
Whittier Elementary Milwaukee 2.2 mi 7.1
La Causa Charter School Milwaukee 2.5 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Rock Ledge Elementary Seymour, WI 5.8
Washington Elementary Stevens Point, WI 5.8
ST MARCUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI 5.7
Baird Elementary Green Bay, WI 5.9
Rock River Intermediate Waupun, WI 6.0
Rogers Street Academy Milwaukee, WI 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fernwood Montessori

What grades does Fernwood Montessori serve?

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

How many students attend Fernwood Montessori?

Fernwood Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 772 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fernwood Montessori?

The student-teacher ratio at Fernwood Montessori is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fernwood Montessori rank in WI?

Fernwood Montessori ranks #1,319 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Fernwood Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?

Fernwood Montessori has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Fernwood Montessori?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fernwood Montessori has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Fernwood Montessori a charter school?

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

Is Fernwood Montessori a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fernwood Montessori?

23.2% of students at Fernwood Montessori 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
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
81 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
772
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.1%

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