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
Enrollment
985
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 17% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (414) 934-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #38 of 154
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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