D
Needs Improvement
43/100

Bethune Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 🏫 School
📍 1535 N 35th St, Milwaukee, WI 53208
Overall
D
43/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
3.8 grade levels below the U.S. average · 5th percentile in Wisconsin
Growth
C+
Students gain 0.98 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 41st percentile
Resources
A
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Wisconsin schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

43
Repit Score
out of 100
525
Students
enrolled
15.4:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$20K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%5/1003.8 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%41/100Students gain 0.98 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 0.89 in 2009–19; 53rd percentile in Wisconsin (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%87/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 96% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Wisconsin schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +7 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Wisconsin. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency8% (−32 pts vs. state avg 40%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency6% (−34 pts vs. state avg 40%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Wisconsin state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
Black8%3%reading -4 pts, math -7 pts28th percentile (list)
Asian12%8%reading -29 pts, math -35 pts1st percentile (list)
Low-income8%6%reading -16 pts, math -17 pts5th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 1535 N 35th St
City Milwaukee
ZIP Code 53208
District 5509600
NCES School ID 550960001256
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 53208

Understanding the community around Bethune Academy helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $44,348
Per Capita Income $28,355
Poverty Rate 20.2%
Households Earning $100K+ 20.2%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 30.8%
High School or Higher 88.2%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $178,300
Median Rent $868
Owner-Occupied 40.0%
Renter-Occupied 60.0%
View full data for ZIP 53208 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 53208 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 53208 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Bethune Academy.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 54.3%
Female 45.7%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Black 57.9%
Asian 34.5%
Hispanic/Latino 3.2%
White 1.9%
Two or More Races 2.1%
American Indian 0.2%
Pacific Islander 0.2%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 525
Teachers (FTE) 34.0
Student:Teacher Ratio 15.4:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Bethune Academy?
Bethune Academy has a Repit School Score of 43 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Bethune Academy?
Bethune Academy has 525 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.4:1.
What grades does Bethune Academy serve?
Bethune Academy serves grades Pre-K – 08 and is classified as a School. This is a public school.
How much funding does Bethune Academy receive per student?
Bethune Academy receives $19,598 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Bethune Academy in 53208 ▼
Avg Home Value
$240,135
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,376
1-Year Change
+7.8%
% Renters
60.0%

Other Schools in 53208

View all schools and real estate data for 53208 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026