We combine high-quality teaching, green and healthy practices, and social and emotional learning experiences to support the whole child, K3 through fifth grade. Math and science lessons are creative and interactive, led by our teachers and enhanced by classroom technology. Literacy skills and concepts are reinforced in every subject, and students enjoy reading and research in our Library Media Center. Progress continues in our gardens and redeveloped schoolyard, where students compost, harvest vegetables, and study the water cycle.

Teachers work with families to discover each child’s unique learning style, and our academic program includes advanced learning and special education services. Social and emotional lessons demonstrate goal-setting and relationship-building strategies students can practice at home and in school. The student schedule includes weekly art, music, and physical education classes.

Hawthorne’s healthy approach to teaching and learning has earned honors from the nation’s capital to the Wisconsin Statehouse.

• We traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to receive the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award.
• We reached Sugar Maple Status through the Green and Healthy Schools Wisconsin campaign.
• We received four Green Schools Consortium of Milwaukee 2023 awards: educator and principal of the year, most engaged Green Team, and most supportive building engineer.
• We are home to one of the city’s biggest and greenest redeveloped schoolyards.

Education is our priority and family is our foundation. Alumni return to Hawthorne School as proud parents and grandparents, members of our School Engagement Council and volunteers. Retired teachers, principals, and dedicated neighbors contribute as tutors and role models. Together, this community supports Hawthorne Hawks as they soar to new heights.

Mission and Vision

Our vision is that every student who enters Hawthorne Elementary School will progress to each grade level, with the academic and social skills necessary to attain proficiency. Our students will be prepared to be successful in middle school and beyond.

Hawthorne values an ongoing partnership between staff, family and community, where all are treated with respect, integrity and dignity while keeping the central focus for all stakeholders on high levels of academic achievement.

Goals

• To ensure that every child comes first.
• To make the classroom the most important place in the school.
• To support collaborative interactions between leadership and staff.
• To develop a Professional Learning Community.
• To treat families as valuable partners.
• To generate community partnerships that will add value to our school.

Before & After School Programs

Milwaukee Recreation hosts Camp Hawthorne, providing fully supervised before- and after-school programming that brings academic support, enrichment, and recreational opportunities to K4-5 children. Camp Hawthorne has a summer camp for our students and the community during the summer months. Camp Hawthorne is now enrolling!