Below Average
#1811 of 2,105 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
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,811 of 2,105
In Milwaukee
#111 of 176
public schools
In district
#94 of 154
Milwaukee School District
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Thoreau Elementary
Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Brown Deer Middle/high
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Brown Deer Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thoreau Elementary
Thoreau Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Thoreau Elementary serves approximately 357 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 19.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Thoreau Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,811 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Thoreau Elementary show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
81% of students at Thoreau 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thoreau Elementary — Students at Thoreau Elementary score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
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 40 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Thoreau Elementary Compares
See how Thoreau Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 Milwaukee Scholars Charter School (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brown Deer Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 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 | 6.6 |
| Brown Deer Elementary Brown Deer | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ACADEMICS Brown Deer | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Barton Elementary Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| EARLY VIEW ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Milwaukee | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Green Tree Preparatory Academy Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| Morse Mid Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Milwaukee Sign Language Elementary Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | 3.9 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: FIDELIS Milwaukee | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Milwaukee | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Darrell Lynn Hines Academy Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Stuart Elementary Milwaukee | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Kluge Elementary Milwaukee | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Browning Elementary Milwaukee | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Rocketship Transformation Prep Milwaukee | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
| James Madison Academic Campus Milwaukee | 2.8 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 |
|---|---|
| Eisenhower Elementary Green Bay, WI | 4.5 |
| Glenwood City Elementary Glenwood City, WI | 4.5 |
| Grewenow Elementary Kenosha, WI | 4.5 |
| Jackson Elementary Green Bay, WI | 4.5 |
| King Elementary Green Bay, WI | 4.5 |
| Maple Grove Elementary Greenfield, WI | 4.5 |
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 ranks #1,811 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Thoreau Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thoreau Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Thoreau Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thoreau Elementary has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 80.7%
- Phone
- (262) 236-1800
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #94 of 154
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