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Needs Improvement

#2035 of 2,105 schools in WI

Neeskara Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

1601 N Hawley Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53208

Enrollment

371

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#2,035 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#164 of 176

public schools

In district

#143 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Neeskara Elementary

3.4/10

Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Sebastian School

7.7/10

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

St Coletta Day School of Milwaukee

Nearby

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

About Neeskara Elementary

Neeskara Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Neeskara Elementary serves approximately 371 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Neeskara Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,035 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Neeskara Elementary show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

57% of students at Neeskara 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.3% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-47 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40.5 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism57.4%

Neeskara Elementary — Students at Neeskara Elementary score 9% 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

92.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 18.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 18.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 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
62%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
12%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
12%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2025
Math
7.3%
ELA
10.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Neeskara Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
3th percentile in WI
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
57.4%

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

1601 N Hawley Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Neeskara Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Washington Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Wauwatosa), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST SEBASTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jefferson Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Wauwatosa), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ST SEBASTIAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.2 mi 7.7
ST COLETTA DAY SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE Milwaukee 0.2 mi
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.2 mi 6.8
Hi-Mount Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 4.0
Milwaukee French Immersion Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.0
Hawley Environmental School Milwaukee 0.9 mi 3.1
Woodlands School Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.8
Washington Elementary Wauwatosa 0.8 mi 7.8
Jefferson Elementary Wauwatosa 1.0 mi 7.6
MT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.4 mi 6.3
CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP Wauwatosa 1.0 mi
WHS Information Technology Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.5
PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wauwatosa 1.3 mi 6.4
Sherman Elementary Milwaukee 1.4 mi 4.4
MacDowell Montessori School K3-12 Milwaukee 1.4 mi 7.5
East High Wauwatosa 1.1 mi 6.8
Wauwatosa Virtual Academy Wauwatosa 1.1 mi 4.8
Milwaukee Math and Science Academy Milwaukee 1.4 mi 6.3
WAUWATOSA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wauwatosa 1.2 mi 6.8
KRADWELL SCHOOL Wauwatosa 1.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,585

Median Home Value

$196,300

Median Rent

$924/mo

Population

27,407

College Educated

31.2%

Homeownership

39.7%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

25%

Median Age

33.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Franklin Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.4
HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - PRIMA Milwaukee, WI 3.4
Abbotsford Elementary Abbotsford, WI 3.5
Alcott Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.5
Elm Creative Arts Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.3
Vernon Elementary Kenosha, WI 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Neeskara Elementary

What grades does Neeskara Elementary serve?

Neeskara Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Neeskara Elementary?

Neeskara Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Neeskara Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Neeskara Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Neeskara Elementary rank in WI?

Neeskara Elementary ranks #2,035 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Neeskara Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Neeskara Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Neeskara Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Neeskara Elementary has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Neeskara Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Neeskara Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

92.2% of students at Neeskara 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
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
57.4%

District

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

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