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Below Average

#1943 of 2,102 schools in WI

Longfellow Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

1021 S 21st St, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Enrollment

718

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Milwaukee

#142 of 176

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#1,036 of 1,099

In district

#125 of 154

Milwaukee School District

About Longfellow Elementary

Longfellow Elementary, nestled in Milwaukee's vibrant city center, is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 718 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, the school provides ample opportunities for individual attention and support. Located at 1021 S 21st St in Milwaukee County, Longfellow Elementary offers a nurturing environment with 43 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' growth and development.

While academic performance metrics indicate room for improvement—such as a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.4 out of 10 and an ELA proficiency rate of only 16%—the school remains committed to fostering a supportive learning community where every student can thrive. The math proficiency is at 8%, reflecting areas that need attention but also opportunities for progress. Longfellow Elementary stands in the heart of a bustling city, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods and cultural attractions that enrich its educational offerings beyond the classroom walls.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Math vs. State Avg-51.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39.2 pts
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)12%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,369

Longfellow Elementary — Students at Longfellow Elementary score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 8.5%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 16.3%
School
State
51.9%

Based on 16 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
12%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
8.9%
ELA
17.1%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Longfellow Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
8th percentile in WI
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

1021 S 21st St, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Longfellow Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bruce Guadalupe (rated 9.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST-ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
CHRIST-ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.3 mi 6.1
CRISTO REY JESUIT MILWAUKEE HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.3 mi 5.6
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 0.5 mi 6.4
Mitchell Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.6
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 0.5 mi 5.0
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 0.5 mi 5.4
South Accelerated Academy Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.7
NATIVITY JESUIT ACADEMY Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.1
South Division High Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.3
Doerfler Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.9
Rogers Street Academy Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.4
Kagel Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.0
Forest Home Elementary Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.9
Seeds of Health Elementary Program Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.3
Carmen High School of Science and Technology South Campus Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.9
ALBA - Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.3
Bruce Guadalupe Milwaukee 0.9 mi 9.1
TRANSCENTER FOR YOUTH/EL PUENTE HIGH Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
Lad Lake Synergy School Milwaukee 1.2 mi 8.1
U S Grant School Milwaukee 1.2 mi 5.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Longfellow Elementary has a median household income of $43,645. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,000, with a median rent of $964/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
ALBA - Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes Milwaukee, WI 4.3
Congress Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.3
Fratney Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.3
Manitoba Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.2
Morgandale Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.2
Jefferson Elementary West Allis, WI 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Longfellow Elementary

What grades does Longfellow Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Longfellow Elementary?

Longfellow Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Longfellow Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Longfellow Elementary is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Longfellow Elementary rank in WI?

Longfellow Elementary is ranked #1943 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Longfellow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Longfellow Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Longfellow Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Longfellow Elementary has 8.5% math proficiency and 16.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Longfellow Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Longfellow Elementary a Title I school?

No, Longfellow Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

87.6% of students at Longfellow 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

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
718
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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