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Below Average

#1913 of 2,105 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

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,913 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#132 of 176

public schools

In district

#113 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Longfellow Elementary

4.1/10

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

Christ-st Peter Lutheran School

6.1/10

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

Cristo Rey Jesuit Milwaukee High School

5.6/10

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

About Longfellow Elementary

Longfellow Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Longfellow Elementary serves approximately 718 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Longfellow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,913 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Longfellow Elementary show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

57% of students at Longfellow 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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-45.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism56.7%

Longfellow Elementary — Students at Longfellow Elementary score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

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 15.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 20.0% (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
55%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
56%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
12%
2012
Math
17%
ELA
11%
2013
Math
15%
ELA
11%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
20%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
16%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
16%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
5.2%
ELA
10.9%
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: 5.0/10.

How Longfellow Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
9th percentile in WI
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
56.7%

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

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 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Seeds of Health Elementary Program (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 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 3.8
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 6.1
NATIVITY JESUIT ACADEMY Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.1
South Division High Milwaukee 0.7 mi 4.5
Doerfler Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.0
Rogers Street Academy Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.6
Kagel Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.2
Forest Home Elementary Milwaukee 0.8 mi 6.2
Seeds of Health Elementary Program Milwaukee 0.8 mi 6.8
Carmen High School of Science and Technology South Campus Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.8
ALBA - Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.8
Bruce Guadalupe Milwaukee 0.9 mi 7.8
TRANSCENTER FOR YOUTH/EL PUENTE HIGH Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
Lad Lake Synergy School Milwaukee 1.2 mi 8.3
U S Grant School Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.3

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
Robinson Elementary Beloit, WI 4.1
Shady Lane Elementary Menomonee Falls, WI 4.1
Sullivan Elementary Green Bay, WI 4.1
Doerfler Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.0
Fratt Elementary Racine, WI 4.0
Greenfield Bilingual Milwaukee, WI 4.2

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 ranks #1,913 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Longfellow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Longfellow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Longfellow Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Longfellow Elementary has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
82 Very Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
56.7%

District

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

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