Since 2003, IFF has been a leader in studying the distribution of performing schools in urban school districts; using its distinct methodology to publish reports and spur educational reform in Chicago, St. Louis, and Denver.

Choosing Performance: An Analysis of School Location and Performance in Milwaukee analyzes the performance, location, and enrollment at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), charter schools and certain private schools participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) during the 2008-2009 school year.  The report identifies the "Top Eight" zip code areas in Milwaukee with the greatest number of school-age children but the fewest number of schools that meet state standards for academic performance.  Ultimately, we find that most children do not attend or live near a school that meets the Wisconsin State Standard.

You can read the full report, along with our studies on urban school districts, early care and education, and nonprofit management at our Reports Archive.  For a brief overview of our report and to share our findings, please refer to our press release or our presentation.  You can also read more about our report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel feature article "Good schools in Milwaukee are scare, study finds."

Milwaukee residents, MPS administrators, city leaders, and school reform stakeholders can learn specific information about schools in their zip codes by referring to the customized maps on this site. 

For more information on this and other IFF reports, contact Jose Cerda III, Vice President of Public Policy and Communications at jcerda@iff.org.

Top Eight High-Need Zip Code Areas
53209
53206
53218
53216
53210
53215
53204
53224