Skip to main content

Average

#1587 of 2,105 schools in WI

Ideal

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

1420 W Goldcrest Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Charter

Enrollment

216

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,587 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#70 of 176

public schools

In district

#53 of 154

Milwaukee School District

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Ideal?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Ideal

5.1/10

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

Victory Elementary

5.8/10

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

Cooper Elementary

7.4/10

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

About Ideal

Ideal is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Ideal serves approximately 216 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Ideal has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,587 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Ideal show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Ideal is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

51% of students at Ideal 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 Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.2% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.3% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+20.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism51.4%

Ideal — Students at Ideal score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 35.1% (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
77%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
20%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
20%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
19.2%
ELA
24.3%
2025
Math
33.2%
ELA
38.3%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Ideal Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in WI
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

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

1420 W Goldcrest Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ideal may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Highland View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Greendale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Hills Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Oak Creek), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bay View Montessori School (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Victory Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 5.8
Cooper Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 7.4
Reagan College Preparatory High Milwaukee 1.1 mi 7.9
Cedar Hills Elementary Oak Creek 1.2 mi 7.8
SALAM SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.3 mi 7.9
OUR FATHER'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Greenfield 1.0 mi 7.3
Garland Elementary Milwaukee 1.1 mi 3.6
Lowell International Elementary Milwaukee 1.8 mi 6.4
Greenfield Middle Greenfield 1.7 mi 6.1
Whittier Elementary Milwaukee 2.0 mi 7.1
Elm Dale Elementary Greenfield 1.7 mi 7.7
Early Learning Academy Oak Creek 2.4 mi 3.8
Forest Ridge Elementary Oak Creek 2.6 mi 7.4
Burdick Elementary Milwaukee 2.3 mi 4.7
Morgandale Elementary Milwaukee 2.7 mi 3.9
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Milwaukee 2.6 mi 5.5
WORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 2.9 mi 7.5
Bay View Montessori School Milwaukee 2.7 mi 7.8
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukee 3.1 mi 5.4
Highland View Elementary Greendale 2.3 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,640

Median Home Value

$205,500

Median Rent

$1,071/mo

Population

38,428

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

57.4%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

39.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Auer Avenue Elementary Milwaukee, WI 5.1
Carver Academy Milwaukee, WI 5.1
E Cook Elementary Oshkosh, WI 5.1
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Oshkosh, WI 5.1
NATIVITY JESUIT ACADEMY Milwaukee, WI 5.1
ST FRANCIS XAVIER Cross Plains, WI 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ideal

What grades does Ideal serve?

Ideal serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Ideal?

Ideal has an enrollment of approximately 216 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ideal?

The student-teacher ratio at Ideal is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ideal rank in WI?

Ideal ranks #1,587 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Ideal's MySchoolScout rating?

Ideal has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Ideal?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ideal has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ideal a charter school?

Yes, Ideal is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Ideal a Title I school?

No, Ideal is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ideal?

95.8% of students at Ideal 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
19 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.