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Needs Improvement

#2091 of 2,105 schools in WI

Hartford Avenue Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

2227 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211

Enrollment

380

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#2,091 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#174 of 176

public schools

In district

#153 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Hartford Avenue Elementary

2.8/10

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

Riverside High

3.7/10

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

Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study

3.9/10

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

About Hartford Avenue Elementary

Hartford Avenue Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Hartford Avenue Elementary serves approximately 380 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 22.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Hartford Avenue Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,091 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Hartford Avenue Elementary show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Hartford Avenue Elementary runs 22.4:1 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.

88% of students at Hartford Avenue 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 Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.2% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-48.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.2 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism87.9%

Hartford Avenue Elementary — Students at Hartford Avenue Elementary score 8% 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

89.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 15.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 17.9% (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
62%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
26%
ELA
21%
2012
Math
25%
ELA
20%
2013
Math
26%
ELA
21%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
18%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
9%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
6.6%
2025
Math
6.2%
ELA
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: 3.0/10.

How Hartford Avenue Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
1th percentile in WI
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
87.9%

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

2227 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hartford Avenue Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Atwater Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Shorewood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Bluff Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Shorewood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cumberland Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Whitefish Bay), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Riverside High Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.7
WISCONSIN INSTITUTE FOR TORAH STUDY Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.9
Shorewood Intermediate Shorewood 0.8 mi 7.5
ST ROBERT SCHOOL Shorewood 0.9 mi 7.8
Atwater Elementary Shorewood 0.9 mi 8.4
Shorewood High Shorewood 0.8 mi 6.3
New Horizons for Learning Shorewood 0.8 mi
Gaenslen Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 3.5
Maryland Montessori Milwaukee 1.0 mi 6.8
Fratney Elementary Milwaukee 1.0 mi 3.9
Lake Bluff Elementary Shorewood 1.4 mi 8.0
Riverwest Elementary Milwaukee 1.2 mi 3.2
ST PHILIPS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.2 mi 7.2
TAMARACK WALDORF SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.8 mi 7.1
Holmes Elementary Milwaukee 1.6 mi 4.8
Southeastern Milwaukee 1.7 mi
King International Baccalaureate Middle Milwaukee 1.5 mi 6.6
MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER Milwaukee 1.5 mi 4.9
Cumberland Elementary Whitefish Bay 1.9 mi 7.9
HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Whitefish Bay 2.1 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,206

Median Home Value

$413,500

Median Rent

$1,225/mo

Population

34,427

College Educated

74%

Homeownership

40.8%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.8%

Median Age

30.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
21st Century Preparatory School Racine, WI 3.0
Marinette Primary Marinette, WI 3.0
Craig Montessori School Milwaukee, WI 3.1
Hawley Environmental School Milwaukee, WI 3.1
Manitoba Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.1
Edward Bain School - Creative Arts Kenosha, WI 2.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hartford Avenue Elementary

What grades does Hartford Avenue Elementary serve?

Hartford Avenue Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Hartford Avenue Elementary?

Hartford Avenue Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hartford Avenue Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hartford Avenue Elementary is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hartford Avenue Elementary rank in WI?

Hartford Avenue Elementary ranks #2,091 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Hartford Avenue Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hartford Avenue Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Hartford Avenue Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hartford Avenue Elementary has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hartford Avenue Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hartford Avenue Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hartford Avenue Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

89.5% of students at Hartford Avenue 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
78 Very Walkable
Transit Score
56 Good Transit
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
87.9%

District

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

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