Below Average
#1691 of 2,105 schools in WI
Holmes Elementary
Elementary School · Milwaukee School District
2463 N Buffum St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,691 of 2,105
In Milwaukee
#87 of 176
public schools
In district
#70 of 154
Milwaukee School District
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Holmes Elementary
Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Marcus Lutheran School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
King International Baccalaureate Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Holmes Elementary
Holmes Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Holmes Elementary serves approximately 289 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Holmes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,691 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Holmes Elementary show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Holmes Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
77% of students at Holmes 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Holmes Elementary — Students at Holmes Elementary score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 40 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Holmes Elementary Compares
See how Holmes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2463 N Buffum St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holmes Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PHILIPS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TAMARACK WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARCUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MARCUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| King International Baccalaureate Middle Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| CLARA MOHAMMED SCHOOL INC. Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Riverwest Elementary Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Carver Academy Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| ST PHILIPS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Cass Street Elementary Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| TAMARACK WALDORF SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Fratney Elementary Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Golda Meir School Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOAN ANTIDA HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| King Jr Elementary Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Grant Gordon Learning Center Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Middle Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Gaenslen Elementary Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Roosevelt Middle Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Alliance School of Milwaukee Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| North Division High Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Riverside High Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53212 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,679
Median Home Value
$204,300
Median Rent
$1,038/mo
Population
29,099
College Educated
37.3%
Homeownership
32.4%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
26.2%
Median Age
31
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bryant Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 4.8 |
| Chegwin Elementary Fond Du Lac, WI | 4.8 |
| FIRST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cedarburg, WI | 4.8 |
| Humke Elementary Nekoosa, WI | 4.8 |
| Jackson Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 4.8 |
| LOURDES ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oshkosh, WI | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holmes Elementary
What grades does Holmes Elementary serve?
Holmes Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Holmes Elementary?
Holmes Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 289 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holmes Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Holmes Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Holmes Elementary rank in WI?
Holmes Elementary ranks #1,691 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Holmes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Holmes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Holmes Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Holmes Elementary has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Holmes Elementary a charter school?
No, Holmes Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Holmes Elementary a Title I school?
No, Holmes Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Holmes Elementary?
96.9% of students at Holmes 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 289
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Milwaukee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 76.8%
- Phone
- (414) 267-1300
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #70 of 154
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