The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in Social studies. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Fratney Elementary
Fratney Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Milwaukee. It is a regular public school within the Milwaukee School District, not a charter or magnet school. The school sits on the north side of the city, in a neighborhood shaped by Milwaukee’s industrial and immigrant history. Milwaukee itself is the state’s largest city, a Great Lakes port with a diversified economy anchored by several Fortune 500 headquarters, major healthcare systems, and a brewing legacy. The city is also one of the most racially segregated in the country, a fact that shapes the lived experience of its neighborhoods and schools.
The student body reflects the demographics of the surrounding area. A substantial share of students, roughly three of every four, qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Racially, the school is predominantly Hispanic, with a notable Black enrollment and a smaller White population. There are also students who identify as two or more races. The school’s enrollment figures were reported, but data on the share of students with individualized education plans or those classified as English learners was missing, so a family may want to inquire directly about the school’s special education and language support services.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year show that proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science are below state averages. In third-grade math, roughly one in eight students scored at the proficient or above level. In fourth-grade math, the rate was similar. By fifth grade, about one in five students met that bar. In English language arts, third-grade proficiency was around one in seven, fourth grade one in five, and fifth grade closer to one in four. Science, tested in fourth grade, showed about one in five students proficient. Social studies, also tested in fourth grade, had about three in ten students proficient. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Milwaukee County. A parent should know that these results show the school faces significant academic challenges, and understanding what instructional interventions are in place would be a reasonable next step.
Because the school serves only elementary grades, no graduation rate data applies. There is no high school to produce that measure. The school’s program offerings were not reported in the available data, so it is unclear what enrichment, arts, or specialized academic tracks exist beyond the standard curriculum. No information on teacher staffing, class sizes, or chronic absenteeism was present either, which leaves gaps in a full picture of the school environment.
The Milwaukee School District, which operates Fratney, has recently taken steps that may affect families. Voters approved a sizable referendum in 2024 to fund accessibility improvements in aging school buildings, signaling a long-term investment in facilities. At the same time, the district is implementing a Long Range Facilities Plan that could lead to school closures or consolidations as it adjusts to declining enrollment. The district is also projecting a significant budget deficit for the coming school year, which may prompt cuts to programs or staffing. These district-level pressures are worth monitoring for anyone considering the school.
Housing in the school’s immediate area reflects a market that is active but carries a value below the state median home price, as measured by a home-value index. Rents are present in the data but generally below the national average. The county-level housing market shows a rising number of active listings and a moderate increase in median listing prices, with homes spending just over a month on market on average. The broader economic context includes a national unemployment rate that is low by historical standards and mortgage rates that have fluctuated but remain elevated compared to the recent past.
This is a school where a parent will want to look carefully at the academic support for students. The assessment data makes clear that the majority of students are not meeting grade-level benchmarks in core subjects. For a family whose child needs strong remediation, targeted tutoring, or intensive intervention, Fratney’s actual resources in those areas are not documented here. A visit to the school to ask about reading and math intervention, special education services, and English learner supports would be essential. The school serves a high-poverty population, so it likely qualifies for federal Title I funding, though that status was not confirmed in the data. If Title I resources are available, they can fund additional teachers or programs, but the extent of such support was not reported. This is a school where the numbers point to real academic need, and the question for a parent is whether the school’s particular approach matches what their child requires.
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