Below Average
#1887 of 2,102 schools in WI
Thoreau Elementary
Elementary School · Milwaukee School District
7878 N 60th St, Milwaukee, WI 53223
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Milwaukee
#120 of 176
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#1,007 of 1,099
In district
#103 of 154
Milwaukee School District
About Thoreau Elementary
Thoreau Elementary is a regular public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, enrolling 357 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The student-to-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary is 19.8:1, with 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the students' education. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2063 out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin (in the 2th percentile), Thoreau Elementary is focused on student development and growth, particularly in areas like ELA/Reading and Math where proficiency rates are currently 12% and 7%, respectively.
While these scores indicate room for improvement academically, the school community remains committed to providing a supportive learning environment. Thoreau Elementary sits in the heart of Milwaukee, offering its students access to all the resources and opportunities that come with being part of a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Thoreau Elementary — Students at Thoreau Elementary score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.6/10.
How Thoreau Elementary Compares
See how Thoreau Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 6% (2019) to 7.5% (2021).
Location
7878 N 60th St, Milwaukee, WI 53223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thoreau Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL - EAST CAMPUS (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CITY SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brown Deer Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Brown Deer), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Deer Middle/High Brown Deer | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Brown Deer Elementary Brown Deer | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ACADEMICS Brown Deer | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Barton Elementary Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| EARLY VIEW ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Green Tree Preparatory Academy Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| DESTINY HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| CITY SCHOOL Milwaukee | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL - EAST CAMPUS Milwaukee | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Hawthorne Elementary Milwaukee | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Morse Mid Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: FIDELIS Milwaukee | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Milwaukee | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Darrell Lynn Hines Academy Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Stuart Elementary Milwaukee | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Kluge Elementary Milwaukee | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Browning Elementary Milwaukee | 3.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Rocketship Transformation Prep Milwaukee | 3.0 mi | 3.6 |
| James Madison Academic Campus Milwaukee | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thoreau Elementary has a median household income of $60,477. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,300, with a median rent of $1,071/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Jackson Elementary Green Bay, WI | 4.6 |
| Koenig Elementary Two Rivers, WI | 4.6 |
| Lakeside Elementary Oshkosh, WI | 4.6 |
| Rocketship Southside Community Prep Milwaukee, WI | 4.6 |
| Siefert Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 4.6 |
| Strange Elementary Kenosha, WI | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thoreau Elementary
What grades does Thoreau Elementary serve?
Thoreau Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Thoreau Elementary?
Thoreau Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thoreau Elementary rank in WI?
Thoreau Elementary is ranked #1887 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Thoreau Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thoreau Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thoreau Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thoreau Elementary has 6.9% math proficiency and 11.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thoreau Elementary a charter school?
No, Thoreau Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thoreau Elementary a Title I school?
No, Thoreau Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thoreau Elementary?
98.6% of students at Thoreau 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,164/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milwaukee). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 357
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Milwaukee County
- Phone
- (262) 236-1800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #103 of 154
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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