Below Average
#1834 of 2,105 schools in WI
Thurston Woods Elementary
Elementary School · Milwaukee School District
5966 N 35th St, Milwaukee, WI 53209
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,834 of 2,105
In Milwaukee
#119 of 176
public schools
In district
#101 of 154
Milwaukee School District
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Thurston Woods Elementary
Elementary School in Milwaukee · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hope Christian School: Fidelis
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Glen Hills Middle
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thurston Woods Elementary
Thurston Woods Elementary is a public elementary school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Thurston Woods Elementary serves approximately 298 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Thurston Woods Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,834 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Thurston Woods Elementary show 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- WI avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Thurston Woods Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Thurston Woods Elementary runs 21.3:1 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.
92% of students at Thurston Woods 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
Thurston Woods Elementary — Students at Thurston Woods Elementary score 3% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93%
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: 6.5/10.
How Thurston Woods Elementary Compares
See how Thurston Woods 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
5966 N 35th St, Milwaukee, WI 53209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thurston Woods Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL - EAST CAMPUS (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkway Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Glendale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Barbee Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: FIDELIS Milwaukee | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Glen Hills Middle Glendale | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| HOLY REDEEMER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Hawthorne Elementary Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Obama School of Career and Technical Education Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Milwaukee Excellence Charter School Milwaukee | 1.4 mi | 3.0 |
| EASTBROOK ACADEMY Milwaukee | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ASSATA High Milwaukee | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Banner Preparatory School of Milwaukee Milwaukee | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL - EAST CAMPUS Milwaukee | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| BADER HILLEL HIGH SCHOOL Glendale | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Pratt Elementary Milwaukee | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Green Tree Preparatory Academy Milwaukee | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| TORAH ACADEMY OF MILWAUKEE Glendale | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Parkway Elementary Glendale | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Hampton Elementary Milwaukee | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| ATONEMENT LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Barbee Elementary Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Clemens Elementary Milwaukee | 2.2 mi | 4.2 |
| GARDEN HOMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,288
Median Home Value
$150,200
Median Rent
$980/mo
Population
44,963
College Educated
25.3%
Homeownership
41.7%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
24.4%
Median Age
35.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Browning Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 4.4 |
| EMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL New London, WI | 4.4 |
| Hackett Elementary Beloit, WI | 4.4 |
| INDIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Franklin, WI | 4.4 |
| Sherman Elementary Milwaukee, WI | 4.4 |
| Stocker Elementary Kenosha, WI | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thurston Woods Elementary
What grades does Thurston Woods Elementary serve?
Thurston Woods Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Thurston Woods Elementary?
Thurston Woods Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 298 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thurston Woods Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thurston Woods Elementary is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thurston Woods Elementary rank in WI?
Thurston Woods Elementary ranks #1,834 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Thurston Woods Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thurston Woods Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Thurston Woods Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thurston Woods Elementary has 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Thurston Woods Elementary a charter school?
No, Thurston Woods Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thurston Woods Elementary a Title I school?
No, Thurston Woods Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thurston Woods Elementary?
93.0% of students at Thurston Woods 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Milwaukee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 91.9%
- Phone
- (414) 393-2800
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #101 of 154
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