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Needs Improvement

#2071 of 2,105 schools in WI

Riverwest Elementary

Elementary School · Milwaukee School District

2765 N Fratney St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Enrollment

275

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

3.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#2,071 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#168 of 176

public schools

In district

#147 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Riverwest Elementary

3.2/10

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

St Philips Lutheran School

7.2/10

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

Holmes Elementary

4.8/10

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

About Riverwest Elementary

Riverwest Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Riverwest Elementary serves approximately 275 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Riverwest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,071 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Riverwest Elementary show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

60% of students at Riverwest 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 Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.3% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-47.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.9 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism60%

Riverwest Elementary — Students at Riverwest Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 17.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 15.4% (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
71%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
13%
2012
Math
17%
ELA
7.5%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
7.5%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
2.5%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
6.2%
ELA
6.2%
2025
Math
6.7%
ELA
14.3%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Riverwest Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in WI
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.0%

Location

2765 N Fratney St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riverwest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PHILIPS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TAMARACK WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maryland Montessori (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 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
ST PHILIPS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.4 mi 7.2
Holmes Elementary Milwaukee 0.4 mi 4.8
King International Baccalaureate Middle Milwaukee 0.4 mi 6.6
Fratney Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.9
Gaenslen Elementary Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.5
MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER Milwaukee 0.7 mi 4.9
Riverside High Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.7
ST MARCUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 5.7
CLARA MOHAMMED SCHOOL INC. Milwaukee 0.7 mi 8.8
Carver Academy Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.1
King Jr Elementary Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
TAMARACK WALDORF SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.1 mi 7.1
Cass Street Elementary Milwaukee 1.2 mi 3.9
Maryland Montessori Milwaukee 1.1 mi 6.8
ST JOAN ANTIDA HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.4 mi 7.1
Lincoln Middle Milwaukee 1.5 mi 4.9
Hartford Avenue Elementary Milwaukee 1.2 mi 2.8
Golda Meir School Milwaukee 1.4 mi 5.8
Shorewood Intermediate Shorewood 1.4 mi 7.5
LaFollette Elementary Milwaukee 1.2 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53212 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,679

Median Home Value

$204,300

Median Rent

$1,038/mo

Population

29,099

College Educated

37.3%

Homeownership

32.4%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

26.2%

Median Age

31

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Elm Creative Arts Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.3
Jefferson Elementary Kenosha, WI 3.3
Craig Montessori School Milwaukee, WI 3.1
Hawley Environmental School Milwaukee, WI 3.1
Franklin Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.4
Neeskara Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riverwest Elementary

What grades does Riverwest Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Riverwest Elementary?

Riverwest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 275 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverwest Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Riverwest Elementary is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riverwest Elementary rank in WI?

Riverwest Elementary ranks #2,071 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Riverwest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverwest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Riverwest Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Riverwest Elementary has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Riverwest Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Riverwest Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

96.0% of students at Riverwest 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
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
92 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
275
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.0%

District

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

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