The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Maple Tree Elementary
Maple Tree Elementary is a regular public school in Milwaukee, part of Milwaukee Public Schools, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a neighborhood school in a large urban district, one that families choose based on its proximity and the specific elementary program it offers.
The student body is small for a full elementary grade band, with a slightly larger pre-kindergarten cohort than the kindergarten through fifth-grade classes. A substantial share of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of the surrounding community. The student population is very heavily Black or African American, with a small Hispanic-origin presence and very small shares of Asian, white, and multiracial students. Data on the number of students with individualized education programs or classified as English learners were not available in the records reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about special education and language support services.
On state assessments, which measure proficiency in math, English language arts, science, and social studies, the performance numbers are low. Across the tested grades (third, fourth, and fifth), the share of students scoring at the proficient or advanced level is small in every subject. In math, fewer than one in ten students meet the bar in third and fifth grades, and about one in nine do so in fourth grade. In English language arts, the pattern is similar, with the highest share reaching about one in six in fifth grade. Science and social studies results for fourth grade show a comparable picture. When compared with other school districts in Milwaukee County, Maple Tree Elementary’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quarter of the public elementary schools. This is a central fact for any family considering this school: the academic attainment rates are well below those of many other schools in the region, and a parent would want to understand what instructional supports and interventions are in place.
Because Maple Tree Elementary serves only through fifth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to report, and no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline were available in this profile. Program offerings, such as music, art, or after-school activities, were not listed in the data provided, so a family should inquire directly about enrichment opportunities.
The school sits within the city of Milwaukee, a large, historically industrial lakefront city with a mix of commercial districts, cultural institutions, and distinct neighborhoods shaped by generations of immigration and migration. Housing values in the ZIP code area are lower than the national median and broadly in line with typical prices across Milwaukee County. The housing market in the county has seen a moderate increase in active listings and a slight uptick in median listing prices, while rents have also risen modestly. Affordability relative to income is fairly typical for a Midwestern metro area, though the city itself has significant economic disparities.
Milwaukee Public Schools as a district is navigating several publicly reported changes. In 2024, voters approved a long-term debt referendum to fund school building accessibility improvements, part of a broader Long Range Facilities Plan. The district is also projecting a budget deficit for the coming school year, driven by declining enrollment and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds, and has publicly discussed potential program cuts, staffing reductions, and school consolidations. These district-level pressures may affect Maple Tree Elementary, particularly around building conditions, class sizes, and the range of services offered. Families moving into this attendance area should be aware that the district is in a period of financial constraint and facility planning that could lead to changes in the years ahead.
Maple Tree Elementary is a straightforward neighborhood elementary option within a large, challenged urban district. Its academic results are a clear weak point, and its program mix is not documented in the available data. The school fits a family that values proximity and wants a small elementary setting close to home, but the low proficiency rates and the district’s financial and facilities uncertainties are factors that warrant direct inquiry and careful consideration.
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