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Average

#1264 of 2,102 schools in WI

Milwaukee High School of the Arts

High School · Milwaukee School District

2300 W Highland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Enrollment

985

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Milwaukee

#46 of 176

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#184 of 499

In district

#38 of 154

Milwaukee School District

About Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Milwaukee High School of the Arts serves 985 students in grades 9-12 with a dedicated team of 55 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1. This specialized public high school focuses on arts education while serving students from a community with significant economic challenges. The school currently has room for academic growth, ranking in the 12th percentile among Wisconsin high schools.

With its arts-centered mission, Milwaukee High School of the Arts likely provides creative opportunities that may not be fully captured in traditional academic rankings. The relatively manageable class sizes allow for more individualized attention as students develop both their artistic talents and core academic skills. The school draws from a diverse urban community where 62.3% of residents live below the poverty line and the median household income is $17,746.

Despite these economic challenges, the school serves as an important educational resource in the area. Nineteen percent of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community with varied educational backgrounds. Milwaukee High School of the Arts sits on West Highland Avenue in Milwaukee's urban landscape, providing specialized arts education in a large city setting where creative programs can offer valuable pathways for student engagement and future opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Milwaukee High School of the Arts are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation29.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,369

Milwaukee High School of the Arts — Students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 2.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 14.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Milwaukee High School of the Arts Compares

See how Milwaukee High School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
40th percentile in WI
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

2300 W Highland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Milwaukee High School of the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Groppi High (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pathways High (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Milwaukee Academy of Science Milwaukee 0.2 mi 3.4
Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language Milwaukee 0.4 mi 5.0
Groppi High Milwaukee 0.3 mi 7.5
Highland Community School Milwaukee 0.4 mi 7.1
Pathways High Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.2
Woodlands School - State Street Campus Milwaukee 0.6 mi 3.1
Shalom High Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.7
Brown Street Academy Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
Starms Discovery Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.8
Siefert Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 4.6
MESSMER ST ROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.8 mi 6.9
MESSMER SAINT ROSE Milwaukee 0.8 mi 7.3
Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning Milwaukee 0.7 mi 3.0
Starms Early Childhood Milwaukee 1.0 mi 3.4
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
Westside Academy Milwaukee 1.0 mi 6.2
Bethune Academy Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.9
HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - PRIMA Milwaukee 1.2 mi 3.4
Milwaukee County Youth Education Center Milwaukee 0.9 mi
Milwaukee College Preparatory School -- Lloyd Street Milwaukee 1.2 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53233 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$20,306

Median Home Value

$132,900

Median Rent

$846/mo

Population

14,412

College Educated

16.7%

Homeownership

3.3%

Avg Commute

19 min

Poverty Rate

62.1%

Median Age

22.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Milwaukee High School of the Arts has a median household income of $20,306. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,900, with a median rent of $846/month. The area has a poverty rate of 62.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Burlington High School Burlington, WI 6.1
Grafton High Grafton, WI 6.1
Oregon High Oregon, WI 6.1
Port Washington High Port Washington, WI 6.1
Waupaca High Waupaca, WI 6.1
Harborside Academy Kenosha, WI 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Milwaukee High School of the Arts

What grades does Milwaukee High School of the Arts serve?

Milwaukee High School of the Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Milwaukee High School of the Arts?

Milwaukee High School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 985 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Milwaukee High School of the Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Milwaukee High School of the Arts is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Milwaukee High School of the Arts rank in WI?

Milwaukee High School of the Arts is ranked #1264 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Milwaukee High School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Milwaukee High School of the Arts has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Milwaukee High School of the Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Milwaukee High School of the Arts has 2.3% math proficiency and 14.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Milwaukee High School of the Arts a charter school?

No, Milwaukee High School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Milwaukee High School of the Arts a Title I school?

No, Milwaukee High School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Milwaukee High School of the Arts?

80.0% of students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
74 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,164/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milwaukee). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
985
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Milwaukee School District
District Enrollment
66,864
Schools in District
156
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,815
District Rank
#38 of 154

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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