The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in Social studies. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Darrell L Hines Academy Inc
Darrell L Hines Academy Inc is a single-school charter district serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Milwaukee County. The district operates one school, Darrell Lynn Hines Academy. With a small enrollment, it is one of the more intimate school settings in the county. The school does not serve high school grades, so outcomes such as graduation rate do not apply here.
The student body is predominantly Black, making up the large majority of enrollment, with a small share of Asian students and a very small share of students identifying as two or more races. There are almost no Hispanic or white students. Data on economic disadvantage — the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch — was not available for this district, nor were counts for students receiving special education services or English learner supports, so a fuller picture of student needs and supports is not possible from the available records.
On the Wisconsin Forward state assessments, proficiency rates across tested subjects and grades are low. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or advanced is in the single digits for some grade levels and reaches about a fifth of students in one grade. English language arts results follow a similar pattern, with the highest proficiency share reaching just over a quarter of students in one grade. Science and social studies scores are also low, though in eighth-grade social studies the share of proficient students is higher. Compared with other districts in Milwaukee County, the district’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quartile, meaning most other county districts show stronger academic performance.
Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing a substantial portion of the school year, affects a large share of the district’s students. The rate is above the midpoint when compared with other Milwaukee County districts, so a parent moving to the area may want to ask school leaders what steps are being taken to improve attendance and how the school supports students who are frequently absent.
The district brief, which looked for major changes such as referendums, curriculum shifts, or budget initiatives over the past few years, found no such activity. This suggests a period of stability, but also means there is no recent public evidence of new academic programs or strategic investments to point to.
For a family considering this district, the picture is one of a small, predominantly Black charter school for elementary and middle grades where academic performance on state tests is significantly below the typical level in Milwaukee County and where chronic absenteeism is a notable concern. The absence of key data on economic and special-education populations makes it harder to assess the full range of student needs and support structures. A parent would be well served to visit the school, ask about curriculum, instructional strategies, and the specific interventions in place for students who are behind, and understand what the school’s long-term goals are for raising achievement. This is a setting that may fit a family seeking a small, close-knit environment in the county, but the test-score and attendance data are important to weigh carefully.
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