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Below Average

#1916 of 2,105 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

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,916 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#135 of 176

public schools

In district

#116 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Milwaukee High School of the Arts

4.1/10

High School in Milwaukee · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Milwaukee Academy of Science

4.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language

5.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Milwaukee High School of the Arts

Milwaukee High School of the Arts is a public high school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Milwaukee High School of the Arts serves approximately 985 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Milwaukee High School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,916 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Milwaukee High School of the Arts show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

63% of students at Milwaukee High School of the Arts were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation29.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism63.4%

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: 25%).

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 12.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
45%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
12%
ELA
28%
2012
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
3%
ELA
18%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
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: 2.6/10.

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
4.1/10
9th percentile in WI
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
63.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
29.7% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·4 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shalom High (rated 4.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 4.2
Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language Milwaukee 0.4 mi 5.2
Groppi High Milwaukee 0.3 mi 6.1
Highland Community School Milwaukee 0.4 mi 7.2
Pathways High Milwaukee 0.7 mi 3.4
Woodlands School - State Street Campus Milwaukee 0.6 mi 2.1
Shalom High Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.6
Brown Street Academy Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
Starms Discovery Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.0
Siefert Elementary Milwaukee 0.7 mi 4.9
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 2.5
Starms Early Childhood Milwaukee 1.0 mi 3.8
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.9 mi 5.4
Westside Academy Milwaukee 1.0 mi 5.5
Bethune Academy Milwaukee 0.9 mi 4.4
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 7.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Marshall High Milwaukee, WI 4.1
Horlick High Racine, WI 4.0
West High Green Bay, WI 4.0
Bay View High Milwaukee, WI 4.2
Beaver Dam High Beaver Dam, WI 4.2
North High Oshkosh, WI 4.2

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 ranks #1,916 of 2,105 schools in WI.

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

Milwaukee High School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

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

Based on loaded state assessment records, Milwaukee High School of the Arts has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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
56 Good Transit
Bike Score
74 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
63.4%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

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

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