Summary
Ruth Harman Academy is a public PK–8 neighborhood school at 8518 22nd Avenue in Kenosha, Wisconsin, serving 427 students as part of the Kenosha School District. In 2025-26 it ranked 465th of 1,039 Wisconsin elementary schools — the 55th percentile, 3 stars — comfortably above its district, which ranks 340th of 432 districts statewide. The school's history is a decade-long slide followed by a two-year rebound: it was a top-5% school in 2015-16 (96th percentile, 5 stars), fell to the 35th percentile by 2023-24, and has since climbed back to roughly its 2021-22 level.
Its standout strength is attendance. Chronic absenteeism fell from 26.8% to 12.0% in three years — less than half the district rate of 27.6% and below the state's 17.3% — while several nearby schools run far higher (Brass Community School 38.5%, Frank Elementary 35.8%). Academically, Ruth Harman Academy beats the district in every grade and subject tested, leading by roughly 12 points in ELA and math, 13 in social studies, and 19 in science, and edging past state averages in all four subjects. It does this on the 3rd-lowest per-student spending in its cluster ($13,904), with a low student–teacher ratio of 11.6 and a 37% free/reduced-lunch rate.
Compared with its closest structural peer, Lakeview K-8 Academy, Ruth Harman posts a similar rank with lower spending, smaller classes, lower absenteeism, and lower poverty. Prairie Lane Elementary and Jeffery Elementary rank higher, though cost alone doesn't explain the difference. Two weak spots stand out: 5th-grade math (40.0% proficient versus 51.81% statewide) and 6th-grade ELA. Eighth grade is a clear strength across subjects. Low-income students improved from the 25th to the 57th percentile in two years, and male students (66th percentile) continue to outperform female students (39th), though that gap is narrowing.
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