Skip to main content

Below Average

#1695 of 2,105 schools in WI

La Causa Charter School

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

PO Box 04188, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Charter

Enrollment

570

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,695 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#91 of 176

public schools

In district

#74 of 154

Milwaukee School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around La Causa Charter School?

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.

La Causa Charter School

4.8/10

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

Allen-field Elementary

4.6/10

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

United Community Center Acosta Middle School

7.6/10

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

About La Causa Charter School

La Causa Charter School is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. La Causa Charter School serves approximately 570 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. La Causa Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,695 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for La Causa Charter School show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at La Causa Charter School 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.

La Causa Charter School 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.

48% of students at La Causa Charter School 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 Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.5% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-40.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.7 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism48.4%

La Causa Charter School — Students at La Causa Charter School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 19.6% (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
52%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
16%
ELA
5%
2012
Math
16%
ELA
6%
2013
Math
19%
ELA
9%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
9%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
18%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
3.6%
ELA
4.6%
2025
Math
13.7%
ELA
20.5%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How La Causa Charter School Compares

See how La Causa Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
20th percentile in WI
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.4%

Location

PO Box 04188, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Causa Charter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Downtown Montessori (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bruce Guadalupe (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stellar Collegiate Charter School (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Allen-Field Elementary Milwaukee 0.4 mi 4.6
United Community Center Acosta Middle School Milwaukee 0.6 mi 7.6
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.5 mi 3.8
Vieau Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.0
Bradley Technology High Milwaukee 0.8 mi 3.9
Hayes Bilingual School Milwaukee 0.6 mi 5.5
Riley Dual Language Montessori School Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.3
Bruce Guadalupe Milwaukee 0.7 mi 7.8
ST JOSAPHAT PARISH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 6.0
ST AUGUSTINE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.1 mi 6.0
Kagel Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.2
Downtown Montessori Milwaukee 1.1 mi 7.9
South Division High Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.5
Stellar Collegiate Charter School Milwaukee 1.1 mi 7.7
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.4
South Accelerated Academy Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.1
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.0
Forest Home Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.2
ST LUCAS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.2 mi 6.9
Carmen Middle School South Milwaukee 1.3 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,645

Median Home Value

$106,000

Median Rent

$964/mo

Population

40,008

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

26.4%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

32.6%

Median Age

29.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALBA - Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes Milwaukee, WI 4.8
HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SEUPER Milwaukee, WI 4.8
HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: FIDELIS Milwaukee, WI 4.8
Julian Thomas Elementary Racine, WI 4.8
Leopold Elementary Madison, WI 4.8
Burdick Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Causa Charter School

What grades does La Causa Charter School serve?

La Causa Charter School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend La Causa Charter School?

La Causa Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 570 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Causa Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at La Causa Charter School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Causa Charter School rank in WI?

La Causa Charter School ranks #1,695 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is La Causa Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

La Causa Charter School 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 La Causa Charter School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, La Causa Charter School has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is La Causa Charter School a charter school?

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

Is La Causa Charter School a Title I school?

No, La Causa Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Causa Charter School?

91.6% of students at La Causa Charter School 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
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
87 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
570
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.4%

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.