Carmen Middle School South vs Bayside Middle
Bayside Middle has a higher overall rating of 9.6/10 compared to 6.2/10. Bayside Middle is significantly larger with 341 students, about 1.7× the size of Carmen Middle School South (206).
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Carmen Middle School South
Milwaukee, WI
206 students
Bayside Middle
Milwaukee, WI
341 students
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| Metric | Carmen Middle School South | Bayside Middle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 6.2 / 10 | 9.6 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 7.0 | 9.8 |
| Growth Score | — | 9.3 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 99% | 10.6% |
| Environment Score | 5.0 | 9.8 |
| State Rank | #1,142 of 2,109 | #5 of 2,109 |
| State Percentile | 46th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Carmen Middle School South | Bayside Middle |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | — | 63.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | — | 74.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Milwaukee (53215) | Milwaukee (53217) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $49,207 | $132,044 |
| Median Home Value | $148,400 | $426,100 |
| Median Rent | $933 | $1,519 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 11.1% | 73.3% |
| Poverty Rate | 23.1% | 5.3% |
| Avg Commute | 22 min | 22 min |
The data story: Carmen Middle School South vs Bayside Middle
Bayside Middle and Carmen Middle School South sit 12.6 miles apart in the Milwaukee metro area, but their overall ratings are separated by 2.6 points — Bayside Middle scores 9.3/10 against Carmen Middle School South's 6.7/10. That gap is even more striking in state context: Bayside Middle ranks #16 of 2,102 schools in Wisconsin, placing it in the top 1% statewide, while Carmen Middle School South ranks #933 of 2,102, landing it in the bottom half of the state.
Academically, Bayside Middle holds a 1.4-point edge, scoring 9.4/10 on academic measures compared to Carmen Middle School South's 8.0/10. Both scores represent functional achievement, but for families who anchor school selection on measured academic output, Bayside Middle's near-perfect academic rating and its top-16 state placement represent a meaningful, concrete advantage — not just a marginal one.
The demographic and structural profiles of these two schools differ sharply. Carmen Middle School South serves 206 students with 99% qualifying for free or reduced lunch, indicating an almost entirely low-income population. Bayside Middle enrolls 341 students with just 11% on free or reduced lunch. On student-teacher ratio, Carmen Middle School South actually holds an edge at 13.7:1 versus Bayside Middle's 11.0:1 — meaning Carmen students get more adult attention per classroom, a resource that can matter significantly in a high-needs environment.
Carmen Middle School South is a charter school serving grades 6–8, while Bayside Middle is a regular public school covering grades 5–8, giving Bayside families an additional year of enrollment continuity starting in fifth grade. That extra year of alignment — same teachers, same culture, same curriculum progression — can ease the transition out of elementary school for families who value longer institutional relationships.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Carmen Middle School South
Carmen Middle School South suits families in Milwaukee's south side who need a nearby charter option with small class feel — its 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio is notably lower than Bayside's, and its charter model may offer a structured, mission-driven environment for students who benefit from tighter community and intentional school culture despite the school's lower overall ranking.
Bayside Middle
Bayside Middle is the stronger fit for families who can access the north shore and prioritize raw academic performance — its #16 state rank and 9.4/10 academic score make it one of the highest-performing middle schools in Wisconsin, and its grade 5–8 span lets families commit earlier and avoid a mid-elementary school transition.