Cooper School

5143 South 21st Street

School District

Milwaukee
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Milwaukee School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 10, 2025

While I'm not typically a fan of MPS, Cooper is an exceptional school with a dedicated staff that truly cares about its students. My daughter has had three incredible teachers during her time there, each contributing to her academic progress and personal growth. Of all the schools she's attended, Cooper has best met her needs and has consistently worked with me to support her academic development.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2024

Some teachers are fine! But my only concern is Principal Jennifer Doucette. She constantly yells to students. She is very rude, and always pushes students to the edge. Bullying in this school is unacceptable. Please contact MPS About this principle.
Submitted by other on September 05, 2023

This school does not offer good education and it is really bad would never recommend to anyone do not go to this school
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2023

In maintaining a positive school reputation, the leadership at Cooper school controls parent concerns and funnels them under the carpet, if they are not acceptable to the principal, you should not be expressing them.When you have a legitimate and truthful complaint to register, you are many times dismissed as being ,”not Cooper material,” you are even encouraged to leave and find another institution to attend (even if your students are above average and following school rules.) While I agree, it is important to have high standards and maintain focus on school improvement, I also see the need for flexibility and better communication. All who attend and support Cooper school (Yes ,parents too.) deserve honesty, and a realization that no institution is “perfect” and perhaps some concerns need to be rectified- and not dismissed.Polite discourse that does not establish solutions is decorum without a backbone. The only solution presented to parents who may inquire with concerns is: if you’re not “Cooper material” then you need to move on. Both of my students who chose to attend Cooper School are well above-average academically and do not cause any major problems in following rules or expectations. By expressing truthful concerns over unrealistic and even petty expectations, I am considered by leadership to be, “a problem parent, who needs to be eradicated.”
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2023

Wont recommend to parents Pulled my kids out of this school, very disappointed of poor disciplining and staffs are not open to valid parent’s concerns. I have heard bad feedbacks from various people and to experience it firsthand is not that shocking. Only them esp the bias principal claiming it to be the best school in town, yes maybe because of her low standards.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2023

The educators here are vindictive. Students are singled out and set up to fail if they don’t meet “cooper material” or they’re not “cooperized” to the schools’ standards. Even after a pandemic and how fragile young minds were teachers made things worse for kids and didn’t care how depressed or stressed they got. The teachers try to snitch or call home for every little incident and can’t handle their large classroom sizes. There are hardly any extra curricular activities offered either.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2021

We have been really pleased with Cooper School over the last few years my children have attended. It’s a very supportive school with strong academics and a heavy emphasis placed on doing your best in all facets of life. My only negative is daily homework as a general school policy, though some teachers offer class time to work on it.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2019

I would not recommend to other parents
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2018

This is a great school. The kids are awesome and even the teachers. My only concern with this school is Principal Jennifer Doucette. Currently she is being very selective (bias) on who she lets in this school. The 5th grade classes here have the lowest enrollment at 21 students and Principal Jennifer Doucette shuts the door on the rest of the community. She also said that she hopes some kids don't return for the 6th grade to minimize those classes. I'm not sure how to feel about a Principal and school with that kind of mindset. Don't take my word for it though. Contact the school or MPS.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2018

very good....my daughter attended k5 through 8th grade.....
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

This was a last choice school, as the first two were already full. While it could be worse as far as academics go, I certainly expected it to be better. The lack of music classes and art classes is a real issue with me, particularly since these were the two classes my child looked forward to. There are very few sports available, and even then they were only able to do a "lottery" for the 15-ish available spots (but somehow needed to collect money upfront even though your child may or may not be on the team). I would not recommend this school if you are looking for a well-rounded education for your child.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2017

My son has special needs his teacher is rude, mean, disrespectful, not caring enough she screams and yells at my son.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2015

For us,academics were fine.Child behavior management:poorly addressed by the principal & had poor adherence to district policy.Our complaints:due to social issues,given my child’s(X’s)young age & special needs,& the school not addressing what was needed. Behaviorally,X’s needs were never addressed.We moved X to another school after being threatened by another parent.Only then did we find an independent therapist who understood the problem/solution-the school did not help.Despite repeated concerns to staff,the principal’s most frequent solution was punishment & repeated recommendations for medication-3 separate doctors told me medication was inappropriate. As for the children:very diverse,which was great!Any perceived accolades for the condition of the school,though,should be a credit to the children.Any "problem children" are gotten rid of,making any social/academic instruction easier for staff.In summary,if your child has no behavior problems/special needs,no academic/learning disabilities,Cooper is OK.Otherwise,be prepared for exclusion,suspension,medication,& threats on your family's safety,without any assistance in how to help your child learn and develop socially.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2012

Really Great School for child's i hope the 6th graders have the best year they have the best teacher ever i had her when i was a kid.