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Needs Improvement

#2075 of 2,102 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

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Milwaukee

#170 of 176

public schools

Wisconsin elementary schools

#1,093 of 1,099

In district

#149 of 154

Milwaukee School District

About Thurston Woods Elementary

Thurston Woods Elementary is a regular public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 298 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout Rating of 1.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #2107 out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin, Thurston Woods Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where students can develop foundational skills and social competencies.

With proficiency rates of only 5% in ELA/Reading and 1% in Math, the school is committed to improving academic outcomes for its students. Thurston Woods Elementary is situated in a bustling part of Milwaukee, providing a diverse community setting for both students and staff. The neighborhood around the school lacks specific data on demographics or amenities, but it offers a dynamic urban backdrop that enriches the educational experience at Thurston Woods Elementary.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Thurston Woods Elementary is 21.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Math vs. State Avg-51.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-48.7 pts
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)9%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,369

Thurston Woods Elementary — Students at Thurston Woods Elementary score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 0.7%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
51.9%

Based on 16 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
3%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2025
ELA
5.4%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Thurston Woods Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
1th percentile in WI
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

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 ATONEMENT LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkway Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Glendale), 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 6.4
HOLY REDEEMER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.3 mi 4.8
Hawthorne Elementary Milwaukee 1.3 mi 5.1
Obama School of Career and Technical Education Milwaukee 1.3 mi 2.9
Milwaukee Excellence Charter School Milwaukee 1.4 mi 4.5
EASTBROOK ACADEMY Milwaukee 1.3 mi 7.8
ASSATA High Milwaukee 1.6 mi 6.6
Banner Preparatory School of Milwaukee Milwaukee 1.6 mi 6.5
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 3.5
Green Tree Preparatory Academy Milwaukee 1.6 mi 4.4
TORAH ACADEMY OF MILWAUKEE Glendale 1.6 mi 6.6
Parkway Elementary Glendale 1.4 mi 5.5
Hampton Elementary Milwaukee 1.6 mi 5.1
ATONEMENT LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.9 mi 5.6
Barbee Elementary Milwaukee 2.0 mi 5.2
Clemens Elementary Milwaukee 2.2 mi 4.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thurston Woods Elementary has a median household income of $45,288. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,200, with a median rent of $980/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Metcalfe Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.4
Milwaukee Environmental Science Academy Milwaukee, WI 3.4
Starms Early Childhood Milwaukee, WI 3.4
Pratt Elementary Milwaukee, WI 3.5
Richland Center Primary School Richland Center, WI 3.5
Edward Bain School - Creative Arts Kenosha, WI 3.6

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 is ranked #2075 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Thurston Woods Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Thurston Woods Elementary has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Thurston Woods Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thurston Woods Elementary has 0.7% math proficiency and 5.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
298
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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