The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy Inc
Dr Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy Inc is a Wisconsin school district that operates a single high school serving grades nine through twelve in Milwaukee County. Because the district’s own grade band is limited to high school, state assessment results for grades six through eight—subjects such as math, reading, science, and social studies—appear in the record. Those scores likely come from the Forward exam, which is administered to younger students; the district’s tested grade levels do not match its enrollment, so a parent may want to ask the school directly how these results apply to its students. For the high school grades the district actually serves, no state testing data were available here, and no graduation rate was reported either.
The student body is small, concentrated entirely in the four high school grades. Nearly all students identify as Black or African American, with a very small number of Hispanic students and even fewer white or multiracial students. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not provided. Free or reduced-price meal eligibility data were also missing, which would normally indicate the share of students from low-income households.
Academically, the district’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it in the bottom quartile among Milwaukee County’s districts. For the middle-grade assessments that were reported, proficiency rates were low across math, English language arts, science, and social studies. In math at grade eight, for example, the proficient rate was particularly modest. In English language arts, rates were higher in grade seven than in grades six and eight, but still well below the county median. These results suggest that students entering the high school may need substantial academic support.
Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern. The rate reported for this district was very high, and it exceeded the highest rate among other districts in the county, putting it in the worst position relative to peers. A parent should explore what the school is doing to address attendance, as missing large amounts of instructional time directly affects learning and graduation prospects.
The district operates as what appears to be an independent charter school district, though its official charter status was not confirmed in the available data. It is named after Dr. Howard Fuller, a nationally known Milwaukee education advocate. No recent district-level changes or strategic initiatives were found in the public record, so it is unclear what specific reforms or programs are underway.
For a family considering this district, the picture is one of a small, predominantly Black high school community facing significant academic and attendance challenges. The school’s identity as a single-site district means that the building is central to the experience. With no district-wide elementary or middle schools, students likely come from various Milwaukee neighborhoods or other districts. The lack of graduation rate data makes it hard to assess how well the school moves students to a diploma, a key metric for any high school. Given the high chronic absenteeism, a parent would want to ask the school directly about its attendance initiatives, student support services, and any alternative pathways or credit recovery programs. Without college entrance exam results, career and technical education offerings, or AP course access, the available evidence does not show whether the school provides strong academic acceleration or postsecondary preparation. A family visiting the school and speaking with current students and staff would be the best way to fill in the gaps that this data leaves open.
See more original research from School Decision →