- Enrollment
- 1,974
- Students per teacher
- 30.8:1
- Resource Index
- 20/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Milwaukee, WI
Thoreau Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Thoreau Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 34/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 550960001255
👥 S:T ratio 36
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 29
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Thoreau Elementary earns 34/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 80% of Wisconsin schools.
- #60 of 135
- schools in Milwaukee · Resource Index
- 34
- Resource Index · Typical
- 16:1
- large classes for Wisconsin
- 99.4%
- free-lunch eligible
Thoreau Elementary has class sizes larger than 80% of Wisconsin schools. Computed live against every Wisconsin school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Thoreau Elementary ranks #60 of 135 schools in Milwaukee, WI.
School address
District: Milwaukee School District · Wisconsin
NCES ID 550960001255 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+5 students YoY
Thoreau Elementary held near 357 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+5 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 22.4 → 18.1 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+5 students YoY 550960001255 · Milwaukee, WI Other · SMALL · TRAD
353 enr · 16:1 · 99.4% lunch · RII 34
Nearest enrollment peer: Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 (1,974 students)
Thoreau Elementary held near 357 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+5 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 22.4 → 18.1 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Wisconsin schools → · Find another →
Thoreau Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Hapa-Hmong Ame
Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12
1,974 students
- Hamilton High
Hamilton High
1,472 students
- Reagan College
Reagan College Preparatory High
1,372 students
- King Internati
King International
1,308 students
- Obama School o
Obama School of Career and Technical Education
1,294 students
- This school 353
Thoreau Elementary
353 students
What this shows Thoreau Elementary reports 353 students on the CCD universe file.
How Thoreau Elementary compares
Thoreau Elementary held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Wisconsin and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Wisconsin | Wisconsin avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 16:1 | ▲ 11% | 14.4:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 99.4% | ▲ 158% | 38.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 353 | top 40% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
16:1
Leaner classes than 38% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
353
Bigger than 40% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
99.4%
free-lunch eligible
- 158% above the Wisconsin average of 38.5%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
16:1
students per teacher
- 11% above state mean
Top 80% in Wisconsin - lower ratio than 20% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
79.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$18,815
per pupil, district-wide
- above Wisconsin avg of $15,645
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 353 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 54 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 15.9 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 85.8%
Hispanic or Latino 5.7%
Two or More 3.7%
Asian 2.5%
White 2.3%
Largest group: African American at 85.8% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 25.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 25.8, Thoreau Elementary is less mixed than the Wisconsin school average of 35.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Milwaukee School District reports $18,815 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Thoreau Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Hamilton High | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Reagan College Preparatory High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| King International | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Obama School of Career and Technical Education | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Thoreau Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,472
- Students per teacher
- 14.6:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 1,372
- Students per teacher
- 22.5:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 1,308
- Students per teacher
- 18.2:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,294
- Students per teacher
- 27.5:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
Similar other schools in Milwaukee
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12
Standard public school
1,974 students 30.8:1 students per teacher
Milwaukee Academy of Science
Standard public school
1,711 students 24.8:1 students per teacher
Bruce Guadalupe
Standard public school
1,364 students 15:1 students per teacher
Obama School of Career and Technical Education
Standard public school
1,294 students 27.5:1 students per teacher
Golda Meir School
Standard public school
1,192 students 19.9:1 students per teacher
Milwaukee School of Languages
Standard public school
964 students 14.2:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~353 students)
Frequently asked questions about Thoreau Elementary
How many students attend Thoreau Elementary?
Thoreau Elementary has 353 students enrolled. It is a public school in Milwaukee, WI. CCD year-over-year: 352 (2022-23) → 357 (2023-24), nearly flat (+5).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary is 16:1, which is 11% higher than the Wisconsin average of 14.4:1 and 2% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Thoreau Elementary?
99.4% of students at Thoreau Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Wisconsin average of 38.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Thoreau Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Thoreau Elementary is African American at 85.8% of enrollment, in Milwaukee, WI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Thoreau Elementary?
Thoreau Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 34/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Thoreau Elementary rank among schools in Milwaukee?
By Resource Investment Index, Thoreau Elementary ranks #60 of 135 schools in Milwaukee, WI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Milwaukee on the city page.
What other schools are in Milwaukee School District?
Besides Thoreau Elementary, Milwaukee School District also operates Hapa-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 (1,974 students), Hamilton High (1,472 students), and Reagan College Preparatory High (1,372 students). See the Milwaukee School District district page for the complete list.