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Needs Improvement

#1949 of 2,105 schools in WI

Morgandale Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

3635 S 17th St, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Enrollment

578

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,949 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#145 of 176

public schools

In district

#126 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Morgandale Elementary

3.9/10

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

Word of Life Lutheran School

7.5/10

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

St Joseph Academy

5.3/10

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

About Morgandale Elementary

Morgandale Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Morgandale Elementary serves approximately 578 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Morgandale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,949 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Morgandale Elementary show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 24% 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

Morgandale Elementary runs 20.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

48% of students at Morgandale 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 Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-36.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.5 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism47.8%

Morgandale Elementary — Students at Morgandale Elementary score 19% 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

88.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 24.3% (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
58%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
18%
ELA
15%
2012
Math
19%
ELA
17%
2013
Math
18%
ELA
18%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
8.9%
ELA
11.1%
2025
Math
18.1%
ELA
19.7%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Morgandale Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
8th percentile in WI
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.8%

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

3635 S 17th St, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Morgandale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stellar Collegiate Charter School (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whittier Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
WORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.4 mi 7.5
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Milwaukee 0.7 mi 5.3
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.6 mi 5.4
Lowell International Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 6.4
Carmen Hi Southeast Campus Milwaukee 0.9 mi 3.7
Zablocki Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.0
Pulaski High Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.8
Grandview High Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.2
Curtin Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.1
Veritas High Milwaukee 1.1 mi 6.6
SALAM SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.4 mi 7.9
Carmen Middle School South Milwaukee 1.5 mi 6.2
Rocketship Southside Community Prep Milwaukee 1.4 mi 6.8
Lincoln Avenue Elementary Milwaukee 1.6 mi 5.3
Stellar Collegiate Charter School Milwaukee 1.6 mi 7.7
Reagan College Preparatory High Milwaukee 1.7 mi 7.9
Whittier Elementary Milwaukee 1.5 mi 7.1
ST AUGUSTINE PREPARATORY ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.6 mi 6.0
Audubon Technology and Communication Middle Milwaukee 1.4 mi 3.4
Audubon Technology and Communication High Milwaukee 1.4 mi 3.4

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
Fratney Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.9
Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary Racine, WI 3.9
Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.9
Burbank Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.8
Congress Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.8
Doerfler Elementary Milwaukee, WI 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Morgandale Elementary

What grades does Morgandale Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Morgandale Elementary?

Morgandale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 578 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Morgandale Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Morgandale Elementary is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Morgandale Elementary rank in WI?

Morgandale Elementary ranks #1,949 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Morgandale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Morgandale 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 Morgandale Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Morgandale Elementary has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Morgandale Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Morgandale Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

88.1% of students at Morgandale 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
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.8%

District

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

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