Average
#1261 of 2,102 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
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Milwaukee
#43 of 176
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#727 of 1,099
In district
#35 of 154
Milwaukee School District
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Holmes Elementary
Holmes Elementary is a regular public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Holmes offers a diverse range of educational experiences within a large city setting. With an enrollment of 289 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to its young learners.
The dedicated staff includes 19 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting their students' development. Holmes Elementary's academic performance currently ranks at 3.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout’s rating system and is listed as the 1818th best school in Wisconsin, placing it in the 14th percentile among all schools in the state. Test scores show that only 11% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math.
While these numbers indicate areas for improvement, Holmes Elementary is likely focusing on strategies to enhance student learning and development. Holmes Elementary sits in a bustling urban environment within Milwaukee, where it plays an integral role in the community by providing educational opportunities to its diverse population of young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Holmes Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Holmes Elementary — Students at Holmes Elementary score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).
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 16 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Holmes Elementary Compares
See how Holmes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 5% (2021).
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 slightly higher. Additionally, ST MARCUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.0 |
| CLARA MOHAMMED SCHOOL INC. Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Riverwest Elementary Milwaukee | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Carver Academy Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| ST PHILIPS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Cass Street Elementary Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 4.3 |
| Golda Meir School Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JOAN ANTIDA HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| King Jr Elementary Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Grant Gordon Learning Center Milwaukee | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Middle Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Gaenslen Elementary Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Roosevelt Middle Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Alliance School of Milwaukee Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| North Division High Milwaukee | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Riverside High Milwaukee | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holmes Elementary has a median household income of $42,679. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,300, with a median rent of $1,038/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Black Creek Elementary Black Creek, WI | 6.1 |
| CHRIST-ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI | 6.1 |
| Clement Avenue Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 6.1 |
| Creekside Elementary Sun Prairie, WI | 6.1 |
| E Cook Elementary Oshkosh, WI | 6.1 |
| Kennedy Elementary Green Bay, WI | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #1261 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Holmes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Holmes Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Holmes Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holmes Elementary has 11.2% math proficiency and 10.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,164/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milwaukee). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (414) 267-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #35 of 154
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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