The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in Social studies. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Zablocki Elementary
Zablocki Elementary serves students in prekindergarten through grade five as a regular public school in the Milwaukee School District. The school is located in a mixed commercial and residential area of Milwaukee, a city shaped by its history as a manufacturing and port hub on Lake Michigan. Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest city and remains one of the most racially segregated in the country, a legacy of early redlining. The city has seen population declines at every census count, though its downtown and riverfront areas have experienced redevelopment, and it hosts major employers including several Fortune-ranked headquarters in financial services, industrial automation, and energy.
The student body reflects a diverse demographic makeup. Enrollment is small for the grade band. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school serves a student population that is predominantly Hispanic, followed by a notable share of Asian students, and smaller portions of Black, white, and multiracial students. Data on special education identification and English learner designation was not available.
State testing results from the Wisconsin Forward assessment show a pattern of lower attainment across subjects. In third-grade math, a modest portion of students met proficiency. In fourth-grade math, that share dropped considerably, and in fifth-grade math the share was similar. In English language arts, roughly three in ten third-graders were proficient, a share that held for fourth-graders as well, and fifth-graders were around the same level. In fourth-grade science, about three in ten students met proficiency. Social studies in fourth grade had a better result, with a notable share of students scoring proficient. Participation in testing was high across all grades and subjects.
When compared with other districts in Milwaukee County, Zablocki Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint of the county’s districts. The data does not include a four-year graduation rate or chronic absenteeism rate, which is expected for an elementary school that does not serve high school grades.
A parent should be aware that the district is navigating several challenges that could affect school operations. Milwaukee Public Schools passed a property-tax-backed referendum in 2024 for building accessibility projects, signaling sustained investment in physical infrastructure. At the same time, the district is projecting a budget deficit driven by declining enrollment and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds, and officials have said cost-saving measures including program cuts and staffing reductions are being considered. The district is also implementing a long-range facilities plan that could lead to school closures or consolidations, and a reorganization of regional offices took effect in a recent school year. Families may face changes to school assignments as the district adjusts its footprint.
For a family weighing this school, the academic picture is one of lower measured proficiency relative to peers in the county, especially in math. The school’s student composition is diverse and economically challenged at a high rate, characteristics that many families weigh differently depending on their priorities. The broader district context of budget pressures and potential building changes is worth monitoring, as it could influence class sizes, program availability, and which schools remain open. A parent may want to follow up directly with the school about current programs, support for English learners and students with disabilities, and how the district’s facilities planning might affect this specific building.
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