The top reported proficiency rate is 8% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Auer Avenue Elementary
Auer Avenue Elementary is a regular public school in the Milwaukee School District serving children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits in the 53206 ZIP code on the city’s north side, a neighborhood within a larger city that remains one of the most racially segregated in the United States, a pattern shaped by early twentieth century redlining. Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest city, a manufacturing and port hub on Lake Michigan that now hosts five Fortune 500 headquarters and a mix of legacy industries, healthcare, and financial services. But the city has also seen population decline at every census count, and significant economic disparities persist.
The school itself is small for its grade band. Its student body is overwhelmingly Black, a reflection of the surrounding neighborhood’s demographics. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is extremely high, indicating that nearly every family at this school faces significant economic strain. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the materials reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports it offers for those populations.
On state assessments, Auer Avenue Elementary’s results are very low. Across grades three through five, proficiency rates in math, English language arts, science, and social studies are in the single digits or low double digits across most tested grades. Several grade-subject combinations, such as third grade math, fourth grade math, fourth grade science, and fourth grade social studies, showed no students reaching the proficient level at all. When placed alongside other districts in Milwaukee County, the school’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quarter. A parent considering this school should be aware that academic attainment, as measured by state tests, is well below typical levels. The school’s participation rate in testing was full, so the results are not an artifact of low turnout.
Because Auer Avenue Elementary serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school also has no data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or course access in the available records. A family weighing this school might want to ask about class sizes, teacher turnover, and what academic interventions or enrichment are available.
The housing market in this part of Milwaukee is relatively affordable by regional and national standards. Home values and rents are well below the Wisconsin median and the national median, reflecting the economic conditions of the area. The countywide housing market has seen moderate listing price growth, with homes spending a bit over a month on market. For a family house hunting in this attendance zone, homeownership costs are low compared to much of the metro area.
The Milwaukee School District, which operates this school, is navigating several major shifts. Voters recently approved a long-term referendum to fund accessibility upgrades across aging school buildings, a sign of ongoing investment in physical infrastructure. The district is also implementing a Long Range Facilities Plan that may lead to school closures or consolidations as it adjusts to declining enrollment and excess capacity. A budget deficit tied to shrinking student numbers and the end of federal COVID relief funds has prompted the district to consider program cuts and staffing reductions. These district-level pressures could affect Auer Avenue Elementary in the coming years, potentially altering class sizes, available programs, or even the school’s future.
For a parent or resident, Auer Avenue Elementary presents a clear picture. It is a small, high-poverty school in a segregated urban neighborhood where academic results on state tests are very low. The district is under financial strain and rethinking its footprint. A family who values a close-knit elementary setting and is prepared to be highly engaged in supplementing academic instruction may find the school worth a closer look, but the data points to substantial challenges that would benefit from direct conversation with the school’s leadership and a visit to see the environment firsthand.
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