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Needs Improvement

#1947 of 2,105 schools in WI

Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

7900 W Acacia St, Milwaukee, WI 53223

Enrollment

414

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,947 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#143 of 176

public schools

In district

#124 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary

3.9/10

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

Morse Mid

3.0/10

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

Stuart Elementary

5.6/10

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

About Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary

Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary serves approximately 414 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,947 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary show 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

91% of students at Milwaukee Sign Language 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 Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.2% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency8.2% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-46.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-43 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism90.6%

Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary — Students at Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary score 8% 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

92.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 10.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 12.5% (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
48%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
15%
ELA
6%
2012
Math
11%
ELA
7%
2013
Math
8%
ELA
5%
2014
Math
7%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
8%
2016
Math
3%
ELA
8%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
7%
2018
Math
2%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
2%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2025
Math
8.2%
ELA
8.2%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary Compares

See how Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
8th percentile in WI
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
90.6%

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

7900 W Acacia St, Milwaukee, WI 53223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Milwaukee Scholars Charter School (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLESSED SAVIOR SCHOOL-WEST CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rocketship Transformation Prep (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Morse Mid Milwaukee 0.1 mi 3.0
Stuart Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.6
James Madison Academic Campus Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.9
DESTINY HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
Darrell Lynn Hines Academy Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.4
Bruce Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.0
Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.9
EARLY VIEW ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.6
GREATER HOLY TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.3 mi 6.0
Bryant Elementary Milwaukee 1.3 mi 4.8
Kluge Elementary Milwaukee 1.3 mi 4.6
Carmen Mid/Hi Northwest Campus Milwaukee 1.5 mi 5.0
Rocketship Transformation Prep Milwaukee 1.5 mi 6.2
Barton Elementary Milwaukee 1.3 mi 4.9
Kilbourn Elementary Milwaukee 1.7 mi 4.6
Harold S Vincent School of Agricultural Science Milwaukee 1.6 mi 5.4
Vincent Accelerated Academy Milwaukee 1.6 mi 4.6
Browning Elementary Milwaukee 1.7 mi 4.4
BLESSED SAVIOR SCHOOL-WEST CAMPUS Milwaukee 1.9 mi 6.8
Engleburg Elementary Milwaukee 2.0 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,477

Median Home Value

$184,300

Median Rent

$1,071/mo

Population

29,287

College Educated

29%

Homeownership

51.8%

Avg Commute

23.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cass Street Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.9
Fratney Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.9
Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary Racine, WI 3.9
Morgandale Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.9
Brass Community School Kenosha, WI 3.8
Burbank Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary

What grades does Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary serve?

Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary?

Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 414 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary rank in WI?

Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary ranks #1,947 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary has 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary a Title I school?

No, Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary?

92.3% of students at Milwaukee Sign Language 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
90.6%

District

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

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