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Below Average

#1734 of 2,105 schools in WI

Milwaukee School of Languages

High School · Milwaukee School District

8400 W Burleigh St, Milwaukee, WI 53222

Enrollment

951

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,734 of 2,105

In Milwaukee

#97 of 176

public schools

In district

#80 of 154

Milwaukee School District

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Milwaukee School of Languages

4.7/10

High School in Milwaukee · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Eighty-first Street Elementary

4.6/10

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

Milwaukee German Immersion

6.2/10

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

About Milwaukee School of Languages

Milwaukee School of Languages is a public high school in Milwaukee, WI, part of Milwaukee School District. Milwaukee School of Languages serves approximately 951 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Milwaukee School of Languages has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,734 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Milwaukee School of Languages show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Milwaukee School of Languages 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.2% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-32.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness6.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation24.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,815
Chronic Absenteeism42.2%

Milwaukee School of Languages — Students at Milwaukee School of Languages score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 37.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 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
73%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
31%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
29%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
27.2%
2025
Math
19.3%
ELA
33.1%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Milwaukee School of Languages Compares

See how Milwaukee School of Languages performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
18th percentile in WI
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
3
1 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
24.5% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
1 boys'·2 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

8400 W Burleigh St, Milwaukee, WI 53222

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Milwaukee School of Languages may also want to explore other high schools in the area. KINGDOM PREP LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Wauwatosa), which scores notably higher. Another option is East High (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Wauwatosa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MILWAUKEE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Eighty-First Street Elementary Milwaukee 0.3 mi 4.6
Milwaukee German Immersion Milwaukee 0.7 mi 6.2
McKinley Elementary Wauwatosa 0.9 mi 7.6
Ninety-Fifth Street Elementary Milwaukee 0.8 mi 4.7
ST MARGARET MARY Milwaukee 1.0 mi 6.7
KINGDOM PREP LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Wauwatosa 1.0 mi 8.0
NORTHWEST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.1 mi 6.2
Longfellow Middle Wauwatosa 1.1 mi 7.3
Roosevelt Elementary Wauwatosa 1.0 mi 8.8
SHINING STAR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Milwaukee 1.2 mi 5.2
MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL Milwaukee 1.1 mi 7.8
Emerson Elementary Milwaukee 1.6 mi 3.5
PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wauwatosa 1.2 mi 6.4
Craig Montessori School Milwaukee 1.5 mi 3.1
Lincoln Elementary Wauwatosa 1.6 mi 8.7
OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wauwatosa 1.5 mi 7.6
HAPA-Hmong American Peace Academy K3-12 Milwaukee 1.8 mi 6.5
East High Wauwatosa 1.7 mi 6.8
Wauwatosa Virtual Academy Wauwatosa 1.7 mi 4.8
MILWAUKEE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.7 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53222 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,523

Median Home Value

$202,100

Median Rent

$1,026/mo

Population

24,400

College Educated

44%

Homeownership

66.7%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

35.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baraboo High Baraboo, WI 4.7
Greenfield High Greenfield, WI 4.7
Monroe High Monroe, WI 4.7
Sparta High Sparta, WI 4.7
Superior High Superior, WI 4.7
Whitewater High Whitewater, WI 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Milwaukee School of Languages

What grades does Milwaukee School of Languages serve?

Milwaukee School of Languages serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Milwaukee School of Languages?

Milwaukee School of Languages has an enrollment of approximately 951 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Milwaukee School of Languages is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Milwaukee School of Languages rank in WI?

Milwaukee School of Languages ranks #1,734 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Milwaukee School of Languages's MySchoolScout rating?

Milwaukee School of Languages has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 School of Languages?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Milwaukee School of Languages has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Milwaukee School of Languages a charter school?

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

Is Milwaukee School of Languages a Title I school?

No, Milwaukee School of Languages is not currently a Title I school.

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

60.8% of students at Milwaukee School of Languages 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
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
951
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.2%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

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